Absence Slip

Request for Authorised Absence

HPA Guidance document. Download here

St Mary’s C.E. School expects all children to attend school regularly and to be on time. 

The school hours are:   8.40am – 3.10pm (Infants)       9am – 3.30pm (Juniors)

Children should arrive at school in plenty of time to reach their classrooms ready for a punctual start of the school day.  Parents should note that there will be no staff supervision in the playground prior to the start of the day.  A staff member will be at the gate at the end of each day to ensure that all children leave safely.

Absences

1. Illness

Parents are asked to inform the school office by 9.00 am (IS) or 9.20 am (JS) each day a child is unwell and will not be attending school.  To protect both children and staff from the spread of infection, parents are asked to keep a sick child at home until he or she is fully recovered.  A child who has been given antibiotics should be kept away from school for at least the first 48 hours of treatment. A child who has been sick of who has diarrhoea should also be kept away from school until the child has been clear of the problem for 48 hours.

2. Holidays

The Headteacher is discouraged by the Governing Body and the local authority from authorizing family holidays and extended leave during term time and expects that there be no requests for these. 

At St Mary’s, however, we recognise each family is individual and that family crises, specific parental work commitments and other special needs do occasionally arise. If parents, after careful consideration, feel it is unavoidable that they take their child out of school, they should fill in the appropriate form (available from reception or to download).  The Headteacher may wish to discuss the matter with the family. Schoolwork may be set for the pupil to complete while he/she is away.

In deciding whether to authorise leave, the Headteacher and governors will consider the best educational and social interests of each child, taking into account the following:

1. the nature of the trip
2. the child’s family circumstances
3. the child’s age the child’s ability and effect on his/her education the duration of leave the time of year (eg close to SATs)
4. whether the parents are restricted in terms of leave from their employer
5. previous term-time leave.

If permission is refused and a child is still taken out of school, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and may be referred to the local authority’s Education Welfare Officer. Requests should be made in writing for breaks due to unforeseen circumstances. Forms are available outside the office. Or you may download one here at the top of the page