The school should be notified of all absences, in the case of medical appointments, either by telephone, letter or personal contact before 9.15am on the day of absence. The StudyBugs app is the preferred way to do this. StudyBugs app link Appointments for the doctor or dentist should be arranged out of school time if possible. After any absence it is necessary that a phone call or a letter of explanation be sent on the child's return to school. Unexplained absence is recorded as unauthorised and noted on the child's record.
Leave of absence may only be granted by a person authorised in that behalf by the proprietor of the school.
Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to their educational progress. THERE IS NO ENTITLEMENT to parents / carers to take a child out of school during term time, however you may apply to the school for leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. Agreement to each request is at the discretion of the Head Teacher, acting on behalf of the Governing Body (Pupil Registration Regulations 2006). If the absence is not authorised and the leave is taken, the matter will be referred to the Local Authority who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent / carer for each child taken out of school. Failure to submit a leave of absence request will result in the absence being unauthorised and a referral to the Local Authority who may again issue a Penalty Notice as above.
Please note: If you have previously received a Penalty Notice for an offence of failing to ensure regular school attendance or been the subject of a prosecution for any child in relation to irregular school attendance, you may not be given the opportunity to pay a further Penalty Notice; your case may proceed directly to court.
For school holiday dates, please see the Term Dates section.
