Term Dates

The Academy is closed to students on the following days:

Monday 5th January 2026

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

The Academy is closed to students on the following days:

Monday 13th April 2026

Monday 4th May 2026

Friday 26th June 2026

Friday 24th July 2026

Monday 27th July 2026

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

Academy Day

Each day, students typically have a morning and afternoon Tutor Time session, five hours of lessons, a morning break of 20 minutes, and a lunch break of 30 minutes. 

Students may enter the Academy site from 8:40am each day, not before unless they have a pre-organised activity or meeting with a member of staff.

The Academy day starts at 8:45am, students who arrive after this time will be marked as late, further offences will lead to a sanction.

The Academy day ends at 3:15pm, detentions are issued for the same day, so students may leave later. You can keep track of any detentions set through ClassCharts.

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.

Should you wish to request a leave of absence, please contact the Attendance Team via. the Academy on 0121 358 6186, where you be advised accordingly, provided with any relevant paperwork, and a Leave of Absence form for completion.

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.

A Penalty Notice may be issued to each parent/carer, for each child:

First offence: £80 if paid within 21 days, which will then increase to £160 if paid within 28 days.

Second offence (within 3 years of the First Offence): Where it is deemed appropriate to issue a second Penalty Notice to the same parent for the same child within 3 years of the first notice, the second Penalty Notice will be charged at £160 to be paid within 28 days. Please note that if the fine is not paid within 28 days or the Local Authority proceed straight to court action you are likely to be prosecuted under S444.1 of the Education Act 1996. The maximum fine the court can impose for a first offence is £1,000 per parent, per child.

Subsequent offence (within 3 years of the first offence): The Local Authority will proceed straight to court action you are likely to be prosecuted under S444.1 of the Education Act 1996. The maximum fine the court can impose for a first offence is £1,000 per parent, per child.

If you have a history of offences of this nature you may be prosecuted under Section 444(1A) Education Act 1996 and the court can fine you up to £2,500 per child, order payment of the prosecution costs, impose a Parenting Order and/or sentence you to a period of imprisonment of up to 3 months. This reflects the seriousness of unauthorised absence from education.