Attendance

Our full attendance policy can be found under statutory information.

Regular and punctual attendance ensures your child has full access to the entire curriculum without missing out on key learning opportunities. Please ensure your child attends school and arrives on time every day.

Reporting Student Absence

To report a student absent, parents/carers must email before 8:40am on the first day of absence and each subsequent day of absence: studentabsence@knoleacademy.org

Please include:
Student’s full name
Year group
Reason for absence, and evidence if relevant
Expected date of return

Need support with attendance?

If your child is experiencing difficulties attending school, please contact your child’s form tutor as early as possible. We work closely with families to remove barriers and provide support.

School day:

Students must be in morning form by 8:45am

Students receive 2 statutory roll call marks per day, known as sessions.

Excellent attendance is expected of all students. Regular attendance supports academic progress, wellbeing and safeguarding. The Academy expects a minimum attendance of 96%.

Any student who arrives after the register closes without an authorised reason will be marked unauthorised absence from their morning session.

For more information regarding the school day timings, please visit the following page:

The Academy Day

Planned absences during term time

Term-time absence will only be authorised in line with national attendance regulations and at the Headteacher’s discretion.

  • Requests must be made in advance and in writing to the Headteacher
  • Evidence may be required
  • Following DFE guidelines, Family holidays during term time will not be authorised, under any circumstances.

Unexplained or unauthorised absence

  • Are recorded as unauthorised
  • Are monitored closely
  • May result in intervention, notices to improve or penalty notices

Unauthorised absences can have a serious impact on a student’s academic record and future opportunities.

First Day Absence Checks

If no reason is provided:

  • Parents/carers will be contacted on the first day of absence
  • Daily texts will continue until contact is made
  • Where safeguarding concerns arise, further action may be taken

Travelling to School

We encourage all students to plan their journey to school carefully to ensure they arrive on time and ready to learn. Difficulties with transport do not usually constitute an authorised absence, so please make suitable arrangements in advance.

Kent Young Person’s Travel Pass

The Kent Young Person’s Travel Pass is available through KCC, to eligible students and provides unlimited bus travel within Kent during the school year. Parents/carers are responsible for applying and ensuring the pass is valid

To find out more please go to:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-transport/kent-young-persons-travel-pass

Bus Services to the Academy

Several public bus services operate routes to and from the Academy.

Go Coach
Go Coach operates local bus services serving areas across Kent.
https://www.gocoachhire.com/bus-services

Arriva
Arriva provides regional bus services across Kent and neighbouring areas.
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk

Redroute
RedRoute buses covers local bus routes and school routes across Kent.
https://www.redroutebuses.co.uk/timetable

KCC School Transport

Some students may be eligible for home-to-school transport provided by Kent County Council. Eligibility is based on distance from home to school, age, SEN, and any exceptional circumstances.

KCC school transport is arranged directly by the local authority. The Academy is not responsible for allocating transport.

To find out more please go to:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-transport