Your child should attend school in good health. We ask that you notify the school on the first day of absence (before 9.30am) if your child is unable to attend school because of illness and that you provide a letter of explanation when your child returns to school.

The school is very concerned for the welfare of our pupils. Where there are persistent or prolonged periods of sickness, the school may refer the matter to our Attendance Advisory Service so that the correct advice and assistance can be put in place to support the family through this difficult period.

There may be occasions where medical evidence is needed to support the reasons for your child’s absence from school. The school and our Attendance Advisory Service will not approach your doctor to obtain that evidence. It is your responsibility as a parent/carer to provide a medical certificate or doctor’s letter, as appropriate.

A pupil shall not be considered to have an unauthorised absent from school...

1 - At any time when he/she was prevented from attending by reason of sickness, (as described under the sickness tab) or any unavoidable cause.

An unavoidable cause is an incident of a serious nature in the immediate family of the child concerned.

Where something of this nature has occurred, we ask that the family contact the school at the earliest opportunity, so that the school can provide support, the length of absence from school can be agreed and that the pupil can be correctly registered.

2 - On any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which the parent/carer belongs.

The school recognises all religious beliefs and actively seeks to support families on these occasions.

Where a family wishes to exercise this entitlement, the school asks that the family contact the school in writing at the earliest opportunity, requesting a religious observance day, so that the length of absence from school can be agreed and that the pupil can be correctly registered.

Head teachers may not grant any holidays in term time and may only grant a leave of absence during term time if there are exceptional circumstances.

There is no definitive list of exceptional circumstances.

The Head Teacher will treat each case on an individual basis and determine what is an exceptional circumstance and the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

If a parent/carer wishes to take a child out of school during term time, they should seek permission, in writing, from the Head Teacher at the earliest opportunity.

School attendance and pupil progress and attainment are closely linked.

A child missing an average of one school day per week, over their school life, only has 80% attendance. This is the equivalent to missing 2 full school years!!

It is extremely important that all of our pupils attend school on a regular basis, so that they receive the education to which they’re entitled. This ensures that our pupils have the best opportunities in later life.

If you are having problems with your child’s school attendance, make an appointment to speak to a member of staff, who will provide advice and strategies to assist.