1. Introduction: The Importance of Attendance
At Blackpool Aspire Academy, we believe that every student deserves the best possible start in life. Attending school every day is not only a legal responsibility for parents and carers, but it is also the most vital foundation for your child’s future success. We are committed to working alongside you to ensure your child feels supported, happy, and ready to thrive within our academy community.
Consistent attendance provides our students with:
- Academic Achievement: The opportunity to reach their full potential and secure the best possible grades.
- Social Development: Stability in building and maintaining meaningful friendships.
- A Sense of Belonging: A strong connection to our school community and culture.
- Knowledge and Skills: The ability to acquire new information daily without learning gaps.
- Positive Routines: The development of self-discipline and habits that carry into adulthood.
"Attendance is everyone’s business"
2. Punctuality Requirements and "Every Minute Counts"
Arriving on time is a critical life skill that ensures our students are calm, prepared, and ready to learn from the very first minute of the day. To support a smooth start to learning, we have clear expectations for morning arrival:
- Arrival on site: Students must be on the academy grounds by 8:30 am.
- Line-ups: Students must be in their designated line-ups by 8:35 am prompt for the Headteachers address.
Consequences for Lateness Punctuality is non-negotiable. Any student arriving late will receive a late mark and will be required to serve a same-day detention. Students arriving after 9.15am will receive a U mark. We implement these measures to uphold the high standards our students need to succeed in the professional world. Students who arrive after 9am will enter into our ready room. Please find full details in our attendance policy.
The Impact of Lateness
| Minutes Late Per Day | Time Lost Per Month | Time Lost Per Year |
| 15 minutes | 1.25 hours | 8 days |
| 30 minutes | 2.5 hours | 16 days |
Every minute counts - In School, On Time!
3. Attendance Targets
Blackpool Aspire Academy maintains high expectations for all students to ensure they are equipped for the future. Our goals are ambitious because we know what our students are capable of achieving.
- Minimum Requirement: We expect all students to achieve at least 95% attendance.
- The Ultimate Goal: We encourage every student to strive for 100% attendance.
Poor Attendance = Reduced Life Chances
4. Parental Responsibilities and Support Strategies
Success at the academy is a partnership between the school and the home. We ask all parents to commit to these three essential pillars of support:
- Ensure your child attends school every day and arrives on time.
- Ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform to promote a professional mindset.
- Contact the academy straight away if there are any issues or barriers regarding your child's attendance.
Supporting Your Child to Achieve Exceptional Attendance
You can empower your child to maintain a strong attendance record through these practical daily habits:
- Establish Routines: Maintain a regular bedtime and morning schedule to reduce morning stress.
- Preparation is Key: Pack school bags and set out the perfect uniform the night before.
- Open Dialogue: Talk frequently about the long-term benefits of education and the value of gaining top qualifications.
- Strategic Scheduling: Arrange routine medical appointments, outings, and holidays outside of school hours. Please provide medical evidence to the academy when necessary.
- Early Intervention: If you notice any anxieties or concerns, please contact your child’s Head of Year as soon as possible so we can help.
- Healthy Habits: Encourage healthy hygiene practices to minimize illness-related absences.
5. Absence Procedures and Legal Implications
Ensuring a child’s regular attendance is a shared legal obligation. While our first priority is always to support our families, the academy is legally required to report poor attendance to the Local Authority.
Legal Implications Failure to ensure a child attends school regularly is an offence. If attendance does not improve through the academy’s support systems, parents’ risk being issued with a penalty notice or being taken to court. The Local Authority may choose to prosecute in cases of persistent non-attendance.
Absence Procedure If your child is unable to attend, it is essential that you follow our safety and reporting procedure:
- Direct Contact: You must contact the academy to provide a specific reason for the absence.
- Follow-up: If we have not heard from you regarding an absence, our team will follow up via telephone and/or a home visit. This is a vital safeguarding measure to ensure the well-being of all our students.
Leave of absence
The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 states clearly that Headteachers can not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The government does not consider family holidays or cheaper leisure travel as exceptional circumstances. DfE guidance dictates that the circumstance around exceptional leave must be rare, significant, and unavoidable (e.g., service personnel returning from active deployment). If you do require a leave of absence for your child, please email the attendance email on attendance@aspire.fcat.org.uk.
It is important to be aware that unauthorised absence during term time, including unapproved holidays, may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued by the Local Authority. We are required to follow the national framework for FPN’s and these notices can carry a significant financial penalty. Our aim is always to work with families to prevent this and open communication is key.
6. Celebrating Success
We love to celebrate the dedication and resilience of our students. We believe that recognising commitment is key to fostering a positive school culture.
- Attendance draws: To celebrate pupils who show a strong commitment to being in school, we run regular attendance draws throughout the academic year.
- Keep the Streak: Every half term, we recognise and celebrate pupils who maintain a continuous streak of daily attendance without taking time off.
- 100% draws: Pupils who achieve 100% attendance in a half term are automatically entered into an exciting termly prize draw.
- 100% club: Pupils who achieve 100% attendance across the entire academic year earn a place in our prestigious 100% Club, unlocking exclusive rewards throughout the following school year.
7. Under the weather form
This academic year we are introducing the ‘Under the Weather’ form. We know that there are occasions when a child is not feeling 100%, but is still well enough to attend school. In the past, many parents and carers have contacted us by phone or email to let us know about minor illnesses, medication, injuries, headaches, anxiety concerns, or other issues that may affect their child during the school day.
To help streamline this process and ensure that information reaches the right staff quickly, we have introduced the ‘Under the Weather’ form. This form allows families to share important information with us before the school day begins so that staff can provide appropriate support and understanding.
Please click here to complete the Under the weather form.
8. Collaborative Support and Contact Information
Our mission is to work collaboratively with you. If you are facing difficulties or barriers in getting your child into school, please do not wait. Reach out to us at the earliest opportunity so we can provide the support and guidance your family needs.
Blackpool Aspire Academy
- Website: https://blackpoolaspireacademy.co.uk
- Telephone: 01253 353155
- Email: attendance@aspire.fcat.org.uk
- Address: Blackpool Aspire Academy, Blackpool Old Road, Blackpool, FY3 7LS
