Schools are required to keep accurate attendance statistics and publish figures for both authorised and unauthorised absences.
For this reason it is important that, if a child is away from school, a note is sent on his or her return giving the reason for the absence.
An unexplained absence is registered as an unauthorised absence, whilst an absence for which the school has received an explanation is an authorised absence.
We discourage parents of children from taking them out of school during term time because the lessons that are missed seriously impact on their academic progress. Where absence is unavoidable due to bereavment or illness of a close relative, we ask parents to fill in a Leave of Absence Form as soon as possible together with supporting evidence for the reason*, so that the child's absence can count as an authorised absence.
Holidays in term time WILL NOT be approved. All requests for absence will be reviewed by the Governing Body. Forms can be obtained from the secretary's office.
Parents should note that if a period of unauthorised absence exceeds ten days, steps WILL be taken to remove the pupil from the School Roll.
We have regular meetings with our school's Educational Welfare Officer who monitors the attendance of individual pupils and who visits the parents of pupils whose levels of absence are a cause for concern.
* Supporting evidence may include Death Certificate or Doctors Certificate