📢 Countesthorpe Academy: Start-of-Term Announcements & Key Guidelines 🎓
We are excited to see and welcome all our students this week! Parents please read these important and helpful reminders – and watch our video from Mrs Hunt and Mrs McKenzie! 🤩
📅 Key Start-of-Term Dates
🗓️ Tuesday 25th August 2026: Years 7, 11 & 13 return.
🗓️ Wednesday 26th August 2026: All students back except Year 12.
🗓️ Tuesday 1st September 2026: All students back on site (including Year 12).
⏰ Attendance & Punctuality
Arrival: Main gates open at 8:30am and close at 8:42am. Students must be on site to start CREW and PREP activities on time.
Absences: Must be reported every day before 8:00am.
Reporting Method: Call 0116 264 2300 and leave a voicemail. Note: Voicemail is the only accepted method (no emails, texts, or Arbor messages) and calls must be from a registered contact number.
Voicemail Details Needed: Full name, CREW group, reason for absence (with symptoms), and expected return time.
Medical Appointments: Schedule outside school hours where possible; if during the day, students must attend school before and after.
Lateness: Unauthorised late arrivals result in a 20-minute after-school reflection the following day.
👔 Uniform & PE Expectations
Daily Uniform: Academy logo blazer, white shirt, Academy tie, grey trousers or Academy logo skirt, black shoes, and student lanyard. Available from School Wear Solutions.
Piercings: A single, small, plain nose stud is allowed. Nose hoops/rings are strictly prohibited.
PE Kit: Official PE kit MUST be worn on days when students have PE. See expectations: https://links.clcc.college/uniform
Infringements: Care & Guidance teams will work with families; students may be sent home to rectify uniform issues if necessary.
📱 Mobile Phones & Smart Devices Policy
Under the Children’s Schools and Wellbeing Act 2026, Countesthorpe Academy is a mobile phone-free environment starting 25th August 2026.
Rule: Phones/smart devices must be switched off and in bags from entering the gate until the end of the school day (including break and lunch).
1st Breach: Device confiscated and stored safely for collection at the end of the day + behaviour consequence.
2nd Breach: Device confiscated, parents notified, and student must hand in device at reception every morning for 10 school days.
Persistent Breaches: Formal meeting with parents/carers and school leaders to set up a personalised behaviour plan and extended hand-in requirements.
Refusal to Hand Over: Treated as a failure to follow a reasonable instruction, leading to immediate disciplinary escalation.