School Office

Attendance

Lightwoods Primary Academy is committed to providing our children with an education, so they can achieve in all aspects within school and have the best possible start to their life journey.

Our target for attendance this year is 96% and above.

Attendance that falls below 90 per cent is categorised by the government as persistent absence and will be taken very seriously by both the Academy and the Trust. Please ensure that absences are only taken as a necessity and that you inform the school as outlined below.

Lateness

We expect all children to be on time to school.

The doors are open at the start of the day to allow the school day to start at 9am prompt for EYFS and Key Stage 1 and 8.45am prompt for Key Stage 2. Any arrivals after those times will need to go directly the School Office and will be marked as late on the register. Be Organised – Pack school bags and get uniform ready the night before. Being prepared means that you are much less likely to be late in the morning.

These times may be different due to COVID. Please speak to the school office if you are not sure.

Illness

If your child is ill, please call the Office (0121 429 2542) before 8:45am on the day of absence. Unless your child’s illness requires a specific period of time off from school please ring each day your child is absent.

Medical Appointments

Where possible, please try to make appointments outside of school hours. If this is not possible, please bring the appointment card to the School Office so that it can be documented and the absence authorised.

Leave in Term Time

Schools are no longer able to authorise leave in term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

If your child is going to be absent from school other than for illness or a medical appointment you should complete a request for leave form, available from the School Office. It will then be decided if the request has been accepted or not and you will receive a letter with the decision.

We do understand that there will be times when leave cannot be planned, e.g. emergency situations. Please ensure you contact the school and inform us of any absences in these circumstances.