Absence and Leave

Parents/carers should contact the school by 9am on the first day of their child’s absence. When parents/carers notify us of their child’s absence it is important that they provide us with details of the reason for their absence. All absences are recorded as either authorised or unauthorised and it is important that we receive accurate information from parents.

The Headteacher has the responsibility to determine whether absences are authorised
or unauthorised and this information is vital to inform their decision. Where we have not received a reason for your child’s absence we will email you requesting that you provide us with this information. If we do not receive the information back by the date
specified on the email then the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Authorised absence

An absence is classified as authorised when a child has been away from school for a legitimate reason and the school has received notification from a parent or carer. For example, if a child has been unwell and the parent telephones the school to explain the absence. Only the Headteacher can make an absence authorised; parents do not have this authority. Consequently, not all absences supported by parents will be classified as authorised.

Unauthorised absence
An absence is classified as unauthorised when a child is away from school without
the permission of the school/Headteacher; therefore, the absence is unauthorised if a child is away from school without good reason, even with the support of a parent.

Holidays in term time
The Headteacher will only grant leave of absence for any reason if they are satisfied
exceptional circumstances exist. All requests for leave of absence must be made in advance. Request forms are available below and from the school office.

Collection
If your child has to leave school during the day we must, for safety reasons, have a request from you and he or she must be collected. Children will never be allowed to leave the premises by themselves during school hours. If they are collected during the day you will be asked to sign them out at the office.