Attendance
Attendance and Absence Reporting
If your child is absent from school, it is essential that you inform us every day they are away. You can report an absence by:
Leaving a message on the school's absence line
Speaking directly to the school office
Logging the absence via the Arbor app
This helps us keep our records accurate and ensures your child is safe. If we do not hear from you, we will follow up with a phone call. If the absence continues and we still haven’t had contact, we will call all named contacts on your child’s file and may carry out a home visit.
We may also contact you during a period of absence to ask for further details -particularly if your child is off for more than a couple of days.
If we do not receive a reason for your child's absence, we are required to mark it as unauthorised.
Medical and Dental Appointments
Please inform the school in advance of any medical or dental appointments. We ask that you provide evidence of the appointment, such as a text message, email confirmation, or appointment card.
Only the child attending the appointment will be given authorised leave. Siblings are expected to remain in school and should only be collected at the usual end of the school day.
Exceptional Circumstances
If your child will be absent for any reason other than illness or a medical appointment, you must complete an Exceptional Circumstances Request Form. This can be collected from the school office, or downloaded using the link below. The completed form must be returned to the admin office at least two weeks in advance of the planned absence.
Term-Time Holidays
In line with national guidance from the Department for Education, we are unable to authorise any holidays during term time under any circumstances.
This means we cannot approve leave for:
Family holidays (including free or discounted trips)
Birthdays or family celebrations
Other non-essential events
Taking your child out of school without permission may result in a penalty notice and fine issued by the Local Authority.
Punctuality Matters
Being on time is just as important as attending every day. School starts promptly at 8:55am. If your child arrives late and misses the registration period, it is recorded as an unauthorised absence. Please help give your child the best start to the day - and the best chance of success - by getting them to school on time.
