Absence

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Reporting Absence 

• Call the school office before 9:30 am on the first day of absence and every day after. 

• Absences over 5 days may require medical evidence. 

• Contact us on 0121 464 5330 or email [email protected]. 

• If a reason has not been received after morning registration, a Group Call text message will be sent to parents. 

Punctuality 

• The school day starts at 8:50 am (KS2) and 8:55 am (KS1). 

• Registers close at 9:30 am – arrival after this will be marked as an unauthorised absence. 

• Persistent lateness will result in a meeting with the school to offer support. 

Authorised vs. Unauthorised Absence 

Authorised absences include:  

• Illness (with evidence if required) 

• Medical or dental appointments (where unavoidable) 

• Religious observances (maximum 2 days per year) 

• Family emergencies (reviewed on a case-by-case basis) 

Unauthorised absences include:  

• Holidays during term time (unless exceptional circumstances) 

• Absences without a valid reason 

Requesting Term-Time Absence 

• Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance. 

• The headteacher decides if an absence is exceptional. 

• Proof of return travel may be required for trips abroad. 

Possible Fines 

• Parents may face a penalty notice for unauthorised absences. 

• Fines start at £80 per parent, per child (if paid within 21 days). 

What Happens if Attendance is Poor? 

If your child’s attendance becomes a concern, we will:  

• Contact you to offer support or arrange a meeting if needed. 

• Follow local authority and government issued guidance if attendance does not improve. 

Attendance Terminology

• Low Risk of Persistent Absence – Absent for more than 6 days in a school year. 

• Moderate Risk of Persistent Absence – Absent for more than 10 days in a school year. 

• High Risk of Persistent Absence – Absent for more than 15 days in a school year. 

• Persistent Absence – Attendance below 90% or more than 19 days absent in a school year. 

• Severe Absence – Attendance below 50% or more than 95 days absent in a school year. 

How We Support Attendance 

• Recognition-based rewards for good attendance. 

• Attendance mentors for support. 

• Early help for families facing challenges. 

For more details, read our full Attendance & Punctuality Policy. 

 Got concerns? Call 0121 464 5330 and ask for the Attendance Champion – we’re here to help! 

Supporting pupils with medical conditions

All children are screened by the school nurse or doctor during their Reception year. A vision and hearing test is also performed during the Reception year and you will be advised of the results. Parents are informed of this examination in advance and need to be present. A consent form from The School Health Service is enclosed in your Reception pack and must be returned to school when your child starts.

We recognise that there are times when it may be necessary for a pupil to take medication during the school day. Should your child need to take medicines/tablets/drops etc during school hours the following procedures must be adhered to:

1. Parents/guardians must come into school and personally hand over the medication to the office.
2. The medicine should be in the container as prescribed by the doctor and dispensed by the chemist with the child’s name and instructions for administration printed clearly on the label.
3. The form ‘School Medicine Record’ should be completed by the parent/guardian. The school office will keep this, and a record of the administration of each dose will be made and signed.

If there are no written instructions, medicines cannot be administered.

If your child is unfortunate enough to have a splinter on their body, which needs to come out, the school will telephone you and seek permission to remove if possible.

Children with asthma may keep inhalers in their classrooms.

We ask annually for an emergency contact form to be filled in, please let us know if there are any changes during the school year.

Please ensure that the school has an emergency telephone number if you go out to work, where a responsible adult can be contacted if your child falls ill or has an accident.

We often receive phone calls from parents asking us about childhood illnesses. We hope that this information will help you when diagnosing and treating some of the many contagious diseases that can occur when your child is at school.

Recommendation of Absence from School

Illness	Recommended Absence
Chickenpox and Shingles	At home until 5 days after date last spot becomes scabbed.
Conjunctivitis	At home 24 hours after beginning treatment.
Diarrhoea and Gastroenteritis	Any person vomiting or suffering from diarrhoea to remain home until 48 hours after it has stopped.
Hand Foot and Mouth	At home 3-5 days, infectious whilst illness is present.
Impetigo	At home 48 hours after treatment has started and crusts are drying up. Sores need to be covered up.
Influenza	Return to school when well.
Live Head Lice	Parents to be notified of children with head lice.
Measles	At home until 5 days after the appearance of the rash.
Mumps	At home until 9 days after the swelling started.
Ringworm	Exclusion until treatment has begun. Activities involving physical contact or undressing for PE etc, should be discouraged.
Rubella (German Measles)	At home until 5 days after the appearance of the rash.
Slapped Cheek (Parvovirus B19)	No recommended period to be kept away.
Tonsillitis and Scarlet Fever	At home until 1 week after beginning antibiotics.
Whooping Cough	At home at least 5 days after treatment has started.

Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy