General FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions:
- How do I report absence from the Academy?
- What happens if the Academy is closed due to adverse weather conditions?
- What provision is there for careers advice?
- What kind of food and refreshments are available at the Academy?
- How can students buy food and drinks at the Academy?
- Can my child leave the Academy site at lunchtime?
- What activities are available out of Academy hours?
- My child doesn’t have the correct uniform
- My child has dyed their hair over the holidays
- I have booked a holiday in term time
- How can I apply to the Academy for a place?
- I am concerned about my child using the internet – how can I be sure they are safe?
How do I report absence from the Academy?
Students should arrive at the Academy in correct uniform equipped for the day by 8.25am. Students arriving after 8.30am will receive a late mark and will be given a detention.
Parents/carers must telephone Merchants’Academy’s 24hr Attendance line (0117 3015000)on the first and every day of their child’s absence by 10.00am, to inform the Academy of the reason for absence.
Please make all dentist and doctors appointments outside of Academy hours where possible. If your child has an appointment during Academy hours, please write a note for them to give to their tutor or reception.
The attendance target for Merchants’ Academy students is 94%. Further action i.e. Penalty Notice or Prosecution may be taken if your child’s attendance falls below this and their absence is unauthorised. A Penalty Notice may be requested for any parent/carer of a student, that has 8 or more unauthorised absences within the previous 10 Academy week period.
Merchants’ Academy runs an automatic communication system that will contact you directly if your child is marked absent at registration. This will ensure that the reason for the absence is known as soon as possible and alert you if your child is not in the Academy when they should be.
What happens if the Academy is closed due to adverse weather conditions?
Decisions on Academy closures are made on a day to day basis and are based on information supplied by the local weatherline and the appropriate bus companies. If the weather is so severe that we have to close the Academy, information will be available on the Academy website and broadcast via local radio stations.
When there are worsening weather conditions during the Academy day, students will be allowed to leave early should they need to catch buses.
What provision is there for careers advice?
We have a comprehensive careers advice service which includes individual interviews, guest speakers and visits to universities and employers. Students are able to make appointments to see Mr Nixon, our careers advisor, and parents are also warmly invited to attend these meetings and support our young people in making their career choices. Please visit the careers advice page on this website for more information: Careers advice
What kind of food and refreshments are available at the Academy?
We are committed to providing a wide range of healthy food options every day. Students are able to purchase food from our restaurant, and our weekly menu is updated on our website: Menus. Students are able to bring in packed lunches if they prefer. Students (other than sixth form) are not allowed off site at lunchtimes. If you think you may be eligible for free school meals, please register now: Free School Meals. Before lessons start (from 8.00am) we serve breakfast; healthy snacks are available at morning break and a wide range of meal options are available at lunchtime.
How can students buy food and drinks at the Academy?
All purchases of food and refreshments are made using students’ personal card. Students load money on their cards using the machines in the restaurant and each purchase deducts the sum from the total on the card. A student can check their balance any time and parents can request a summary of purchases to see how their money is spent. Full training will be given to new students at induction and we hope that the majority of students will enjoy a meal from the extensive range on offer every day.
Can my child leave the Academy site at lunchtime?
No, unless there is a specific reason and we are informed of this in writing, students are not permitted to leave the site during the Academy day.
What activities are available out of Academy hours?
We run an extensive co-curricular programme from Monday to Thursday which forms an important part of student life at the Academy. The programme covers a range of artistic, sporting and academic activities which all run from 3.45-5.00pm. For the full co-curricular timetable visit the following page: Co-curricular timetable Students are required to participate in at least 1 activity per week, and there is no charge for this.
My child doesn’t have the correct uniform
Our uniform rules are clear and we request that parents and guardians support us in ensuring that their child follows these rules. If, in exceptional circumstances, your child is unable to wear the correct uniform on a particular day, we request that you send a note with your child explaining the reasons for the non-uniform and an indication as to when the situation will be resolved. You may receive a phone call or home visit from an intervention manager to clarify the situation. Please look at our uniform rules for more information: Uniform Rules
My child has dyed their hair over the holidays
Students with inappropriate hair styles / colours will be asked to explain their situation, and may find themselves in detention. Students who do not comply with our requests may find themselves in the “timeout” facility. Please look at our uniform rules for more information: Uniform Rules
I have booked a holiday in term time
No holiday absence will be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances that have been fully outlined to the Academy in advance. Please do not unilaterally book holidays because they will not be authorised and could lead to a fine and further legal action. At the Academy we will work very hard to ensure maximum success for your children. We need them in lessons working to the maximum of their ability for the whole Academy year. We believe the twelve weeks of the Academy holidays should be enough for families to take holidays together.
How can I apply to the Academy for a place?
All admissions to the Academy have to be applied for through the Bristol City Council admissions team. This can be done on the Bristol council website or by contacting the council admissions team on0117 903 7694. All in year applications for the Academy must also go through the Bristol City Council admissions team however, it is also advisable that you contact the Academy to discuss this in the first instance. For general information about the Academy or if you would like to book a visit to the Academy, then please contact the Academy reception on 01173015000.
I am concerned about my child using the internet – how can I be sure they are safe?
All students learn about internet safety in their ICT lessons but if you want to find out more about how you can help protect your child from the potential danger of the internet then you can download a guide produced by CEOP (the UK’s National Child Protection Agency). Students are not permitted to use social networking sites (e.g. facebook) during the Academy day, and we strongly recommend that parents / guardians talk to their children about safe use of the internet.