Attendance and illness

Regular and punctual attendance at school is a legal requirement as well as essential for pupils to maximise their educational opportunities.

Every single day your child is absent from school equates to a day of lost learning.

Absence

You need to inform the School before 9.00am for every day your child is absent from school due to illness.

Parental notes to confirm legitimate absence must be provided promptly on your child’s return to school. In cases of prolonged illness or disability a medical certificate or other evidence from the doctor may be required. If your child attends school and feels unwell during the school day the school will contact you to arrange collection.

Absence notification

Your Name

First Name

Last Name

Your Email Address

Your Phone Number

Name of Child

First Name

Last Name

Class

Reason For Absence

Late Children

If your child is late for school he/she must come to the main reception. This is for safety reasons as we need to have children registered in the case of a fire drill or emergency.

If your child is going to arrive late and would like a school lunch please telephone the office by 9.30am to place the order.

Repeated lateness can result in a penalty notice

Illness

Most illnesses can be classified as one of a few minor health conditions. The NHS give the following guidelines:

Cough & Cold - A child with a minor cough or cold may attend school. If the cold is accompanied by raised temperature, shivers or drowsiness, the child should stay off school, visit the GP and return to school 24 hours after they are feeling better. If your child has a more severe and long-lasting cough, consult your GP, who can provide guidance on whether the child should stay off school.
Raised Temperature - If your child has a raised temperature, they should not attend school, they can return 24 hours after they are feeling better.
Rash - Rashes can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses such as chicken pox and measles. Children with these conditions should not attend school. If your child has a rash, check with your GP before sending them to school.
Vomiting and Diarrhoea - Children with these conditions should be kept off school. They can return 48 hours after their symptoms disappear. Most Cases of vomiting and diarrhoea get better without treatment, but if symptoms persist, consult your GP.
Sore Throat/ Tonsillitis - A sore throat alone does not have to keep a child from school. If it is accompanied by a raised temperature then the child should stay home.

Medical Appointments

Please try to make non-urgent medical and dental appointments out of school time. If you need to take your child out of school for a medical appointment please ensure you sign him/her in and out at the main office.

Requests for authorised absence

The government made amendments to the 2006 Regulations in the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 making it clear that Head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Any absence taken without permission could be considered for a penalty notice or a referral to the attendance legal panel for legal sanctions.

By law, only the head teacher can authorise your child’s absence for exceptional circumstances. Use the authorised absence application form to request an authorised absence.

Attendance Policy 2023/2024