It is important for the school to work with parents in encouraging all children to attend school. All absences from school are required by law to be recorded. Absences will normally fall under 2 categories – authorised or unauthorised absence. In cases where your child is unable to attend school, parents are asked to:
- If you know in advance of any reason why your child is likely to be absent from school, please tell someone at the school, phone us or let us know in writing. Please also give your child a note on his/her return to school, telling of the reason for absence;
- Notify the school first thing in the morning when your child is going to be absent. Let the school know the likely date of return and keep them informed if the date changes. Parents should also inform transport of any absences to ensure they do make any unnecessary journeys to pick up pupils not attending school.
- Inform the school of any change to the following:
- home phone number
- mobile number
- emergency contact details
- Requests for your child to be absent from school to make an extended visit to relatives must be made in writing to the head teacher, detailing the reason, destination and duration of absence and arrangements for their continuing education. On these occasions the pupil will be marked as an authorised absentee in the register.
Clearly, absence with no explanation from parents will mean that the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
Every effort should be made to ensure that your child attends school during term time. Please contact the school should your child be unable to attend school.
In our approach to raising achievement, it is recognised that attendance at school is something that should be continuously encouraged. Parents/carers, children and the school all have a part to play in encouraging and stressing the importance of attendance at school.
