Term Dates

Autumn Term 2019

Monday 2nd September 2019 – Friday 13th December 2019

(Monday 2nd September, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th October are INSET DAYS. The Academy is closed to students.)

Half Term: Monday 28th October –  Friday 1st November 2019

Christmas Holidays: Monday 16th December 2019 – Friday 3rd January 2020

Please be aware that on occasion, dates may need to alter slightly, you will be notified in good time should this happen.

Spring Term 2020

Monday 6th January 2020 – Friday 3rd April 2020

(Monday 6th January is an INSET DAY. The Academy is closed to students.)

Half Term: Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February 2020

Easter Holidays: Monday 6th April – Friday 17th April 2020

Please be aware that on occasion, dates may need to alter slightly, you will be notified in good time should this happen.

Summer Term 2020

Monday 20th April – Friday 24th July 2020

(Friday 3rd July is an INSET DAY. The Academy is closed to students.)

May Day Bank Holiday: Friday 8th May 2020

Half Term: Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May 2020

Please be aware that on occasion, dates may need to alter slightly, you will be notified in good time should this happen.

Academy Day

08.15am – 08.45am Breakfast Available

09.00am – 09.15am Tutor Time

09.15am – 10.15am Lesson 1

10.15am – 11.15am Lesson 2

11.15am – 11.35am Break

11.35am – 12.35pm Lesson 3

12.35am – 14.05pm Lesson 4 (to include 30 mins lunch break)

14.05pm – 15.05pm Lesson 5

15.05pm – 16.00pm Lesson 6 (Wednesdays for Years 11, 12 and 13 only)

Lunch is broken down by departments during 3 sittings as below:

Lunch Sitting 1 (12.35pm – 1.05pm):

Lunch Sitting 2 (1.05pm – 1.35pm):

Lunch Sitting 3 (1.35pm – 2.05pm):

Leave of Absence

At Q3 Academy Great Barr, we strive to improve attendance for all students, to give them the opportunity to reach their full potential and improve outcomes for the future. Therefore the Academy will not authorise students taking leave during term-time. Any requests for holiday or other leave in term time must be submitted in accordance to the advice of the Academy attendance office.

It is essential for parents/carers to inform the Academy of any leave of absence during term time. The Sandwell Local Authority “Leave of Absence” form must be completed and returned to the Academy at least 10 days prior to the leave of absence. Failure to inform the Academy of a leave of absence could result in further action being taken by the local authority.

According to Government guidelines, if parents/carers request a leave of absence during the academic year and continue with the arrangements should the request be declined, the Academy will be obliged to inform the Local Authority, who will consider appropriate action. This may result in a penalty notice being issued for each child and to each parent/carer of the student. From September 2013 each penalty notice incurs a fine of £120 if paid within 28 days, which is reduced to £60 if paid within 21 days of the notice being served. Failure to pay the penalty notice may result in legal proceedings being taken against you for the period to which the notice relates.

Other statutory action may also be considered under the Education Act 1996, which may result in you being summoned to the Magistrates’ Court. The same action may also be taken if you take a leave of absence during term time without first submitting a request to the Head of School.

Should you wish to request a leave of absence, please contact the Academy directly on 0121 358 6186, where you be advised accordingly, provided with any relevant paperwork and Sandwell Local Authority’s “Leave of Absence” form for completion.