We expect that all students will:

• Attend school regularly
• Attend school punctually
• Attend school appropriately prepared for the day

We expect that all parents/carers who have day to day responsibility for children and young people will:

• Encourage regular school attendance and be aware of their legal responsibilities
• Ensure that the child/children in their care arrive at school punctually, prepared for the school day
• If your child is going to be absent for any reason, please ensure that you make the school aware before 8.00am on each day of absence. Contact us and ensure you give clear information including your child's name, tutor group and the reason for the absence. If we are not provided with a reason, the absence will be recorded on their attendance record as unauthorised.

We ask that all routine medical appointments are made outside of the school day and may request medical evidence to be provided for any period of absence that exceeds three days.

Absence Requests

All requests for leave of absence must be made to the school by completing a leave of absence form, which is available by contacting us. The school is not allowed to grant leave of absence unless under exceptional and documented circumstance. Leave of absence for holidays is no longer permissible under government guidance (November 2012). The school has to warn parents that if you take unauthorised leave of absence then you will be liable to a fixed penalty fine issued on our behalf of the local authority.

As we move into the spring term, we have seen absences relating to the usual coughs, colds, sore throats and minor ailments. You do not need to keep your child at home if they experience these symptoms or ailments. If students are unwell in the morning but start to feel better we strongly encourage them to return to school the same day.

In addition, we would ask that you try to make any medical appointments outside of the school day, where possible. If appointments must be during school hours, we would strongly encourage your child to attend school either side of the appointment.

Guidance for Absence Due to Illness

Coughs and colds(Including a runny nose)	There is no need for your child to remain at home if they have a minor cough or common cold. However, if they have a fever they should be kept off until their temperature returns to normal.
Cold Sores	There is no need to keep your child off school if they have a cold sore.
Head lice and nits	There is no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice or nits.
Sore throat	You can still send your child to school if they have a sore throat, unless it is accompanied by a high fever.
Vomiting and diarrhoea	Children with vomiting or diarrhoea should stay away from school until symptoms disappear.
General illness	Children should attend school once they feel better. If they are unwell in the morning, but better by the afternoon, they can return. If you feel this could be anxiety related, please seek advice from school as we can support with this, rather than keep them at home.
Minor headache	A child with a minor headache doesn't need to be kept off school. If the headache is more severe, a GP should be consulted.
COVID-19 (It is not recommended that children are tested for COVID 19, unless directed by a health professional)	If your child has mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough, and feels well enough, they can go to school. Your child should try to avoid contact with other people if they have symptoms of covid 19 with a high temperature and do not feel well enough to do their normal activities.
Chickenpox	If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over. This is usually about 5 days after the spots first appear.
Conjunctivitis	You don't need to keep your child away from school if they have conjunctivitis. Do get advice from your pharmacist. Encourage your child not to rub their eyes and to wash hands regularly.