Pupil absences and illnesses
Medication and illness
If your child requires any medication on a regular or temporary basis, school should be informed in writing and given clear written instructions on how and when to give it. A form is available here for this purpose. Any pupil who, in the view of the Headteacher/Class teacher is not well enough to attend school will be sent home. Pupils should only return to school when they are well enough and when there is no risk of infection to other pupils or staff.
Please note that for sickness/diarrhoea, pupils should stay off school for a full 2 days after their symptoms have stopped.
Pupil Absences
ALL pupil absence must be reported by a parent/carer by 9.30am on the first day and confirm the reason. You can report an absence by calling the school office or completeing an online absence form on school spider.
We do not accept messages from your child’s passenger assistant/taxi driver. For prolonged absence please update the school on a regular basis and speak to the class teacher / Headteacher if you need support or assistance from school.
If your child is absent and we have not received a phone call or absence request from home they will be recorded as unauthorised until such time as we have spoken to parents. Absence is monitored and reported to the Local Authority regularly – for persistent/regular absence school may refer to the Pupil Absence Team for further advice.
Communication from parents/carers regarding a child's absence is essential to ensure records are accurate and children's whereabouts are known.
Failing to report your child's absence from school will result in your child's absence being marked as unauthorised. Unauthorised absences mau result in further action being taken.
The Difference Between Authorised and Unauthorised Absences
There are two types of absence that are recorded on your child's attendance record:
Authorised Absences
Authorised absence is where the school has given approval in advance or has accepted an explanation offered for a child's absence. By authorising a child's absence, the school approves it and agrees that is a good reason. Only the Headteacher can authorise a child's absence from school. You should contact school as early as possible to explain why your child needs to be absent and to obtain permission. Acceptable reasons may include:
Illness - if it is a prolonged illness or if it causes regular absences, medical evidence may be requested.
Emergency medical or dental appointments - routine medical appointments should always be made outside of school hours or during school holidays.
Days of religious observance - to be agreed in advance by the Headteacher.
?Unauthorised Absences
Unauthorised absence is where the school is saying that either a reason has not been provided, or the reason provided is not acceptable. Absences that school do not consider reasonable include:
- Shopping or birthday trips.
- Looking after younger siblings or visiting relatives.
- Taking the rest of the day off, before or after an emergency dental or medical appointment.
- Over-sleeping.
- Taking a long weekend.
- Family celebrations - this does not include days of religious observance.
- Leave of Absence in Term-Time - click the link for further information regarding leave of absences in term-time.
Pupil absence requests
To request leave for pupils during term time please ask the school office for a form to complete. These are not required for medical appointments. Requests for absence should be made well in advance and will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances – decisions will be confirmed in a letter.
Please note that unauthorised absences may result in a penalty notice being issued.
Incontinence pads/nappies
Parent/carers of pupils or students requiring nappies or incontinence pads or who are likely to require a change of clothing, should please ensure that these are provided as and when needed (class teachers can help you with arrangements for this).