Attendance

Attendance and Punctuality Expectations

Moments Matter at North Oxfordshire Academy. From the first day of term to the last, the small moments in a school day make a real difference to your child.

North Oxfordshire Academy is an exciting place to learn. We exist to provide our students with the best life chances in Oxfordshire. Our vision is for every student to receive a world-class education in character and academics leading to happiness and fulfilment in life. North Oxfordshire Academy is a place where students work hard to achieve their dreams. We believe that high-quality academic outcomes are important and that by attaining the very best qualifications, doors unlock. We know that once the door is unlocked it is students’ character that sustains them on life’s rich journey.

Students attending school every day means that they get to experience a wide variety of memorable experiences. In the past few years our students have travelled to Iceland, played in orchestras, performed on world renowned stages, and played sports competitively. Every moment of school counts and we know that you will support North Oxfordshire Academy so that your child attends school every day.

What Do Attendance Figures Mean?

The higher the number, the more frequently your child attends school. Attending school each day means that they get to experience magic moments. We aim for every student to have an attendance of 97%+. We think of a child’s development as a jigsaw; the more pieces in place, the more likely they are to secure excellent outcomes and develop respectful, ambitious, and determined characters. Missing pieces of the jigsaw means time needs to be spent on catching up learning and sadly your child missing out on memorable moments.

What To Do If Your Child Is Absent

Children should be at school by 08:45AM each morning. Parents are asked to contact the school as soon as possible if a child is going to be absent or late for any reason, such as a doctor or dentist appointment, and to provide an appointment card. The school has a dedicated phone line for reporting absence.

The NOA absence line is: 01295 234214

The Sixth Form absence line is: 01295 234233 / 01295 234236

Appointments

We understand that some appointments are unavoidable, such as with hospital specialists. However, appointments where there is flexibility, such as dental appointments or eye tests, should not be scheduled during the school day.

Holidays in Term Time

There are 13 weeks of holiday during the school year which is why holidays in term time are not permitted at North Oxfordshire Academy.

Punctuality

Arriving to school on time matters too. Being frequently late for school adds up to lost learning and missing out on magic moments.

Arriving 5 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for over 3 days each year.
Arriving 15 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 14 days each year.
Arriving 30 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 19 days each year.

Strategies to Improve Attendance and Punctuality

After school and bedtime routines – packing a school bag ready for the next day, clear routine for after school activities, and getting to bed earlier, setting a time for devices to be turned off, set bedtime.
Morning routines – setting the alarm earlier, no screen time until ready for school (and maybe not even then), having breakfast before leaving home, meeting a reliable friend to walk to school with.
Coming to school for breakfast club at 08:15AM.
Daily chats about the magic moments experienced by being in school that day.
Setting up weekly small rewards for 100% attendance and punctuality.

Support

We have a dedicated attendance and welfare team who can help support you and your family. The support on offer depends on the needs of the child and family. Support might include:

Drop-in sessions with trusted adults at break and lunch time
Mental health first aid team support
CBT support for student and family
`Soft landings` before and after lessons
Support accessing external help from organisations such as CAMHS
Support on arrival to school
Planned intervention courses with learning coaches and student engagement team

Key Contacts

Cat Tyler Attendance Officer email: Catherine.tyler@northoxfordshire-academy.org

Donna Duffy Assistant Principal Safeguarding and Wellbeing email: Donna.duffy@northoxfordshire-academy.org

Parents

The NOA absence line
01295 234214

Sixth Form absence line
01295 234233
01295 234236

In the event of student absence please call.

A phone call is required for every day of absence.

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