Absences & Holidays

If my child needs to be absent from school due to illness or some other reason what do I need to do?

Please let us know as soon as possible if your child is absent from school. Failure to do so may be considered as an unauthorised absence from school. A special record of severe unauthorised absences has to be officially recorded.

Lateness has to be recorded as a 'late mark' for registration purposes.

What do I need to do if my child needs to be absent from school because our holidays occur at times other than in the school holidays?

In order that the negative impact of leave of absence is minimised it is recommended that applications for leave of absence will not be considered in the following circumstances:

• During the first half-term of a new academic year.
• In between February and May half terms for pupils in Years 2 and 6 due to the timing of SATs.
• If, on granting the request, the pupil's attendance rate falls below the national average (latest figure 94.2%).

Leave of absence should only be granted in exceptional circumstances outside the periods and restrictions detailed above and the following considerations should apply:

• Whether the parents are restricted in terms of leave from their employer.
• The nature of the trip.

In regard to the above should it be due to employer restrictions then a signed letter from the employer should accompany the request for leave of absence setting out the prevailing circumstances

Absences caused as a result of parental holidays in term time that have not been approved by the headteacher are dealt with in accordance with the school's policy on the issue of Fixed Penalty Fines.

Where holidays have already been booked documentation should be present to the headteacher to confirm this.