Important information for parents

Important information for parents

On 1 September 2013 a law came into effect which does not allow parents to take their children out of school for holidays in term time. Any request for absence during term time must be due to exceptional circumstances.

A Leave of Absence Request form must be completed prior to the absence. Unauthorised term time holidays will be referred to the Local Authority requesting for a Fixed Penalty Notice to be issued.

If your child is absent from school you must telephone 01305 820262 and leave a message on the absence line before 9.30am. 

Failure to report an absence by 9.30am will result in an unauthorised absence being recorded in the register.

What can you do to help?

• Make sure that your child arrives by 8.27 am.
• Take your holiday in the 13 weeks of official school holidays.
• Do not let your child have ‘just one day’ off school. These can quickly add up.
• If there is a problem that is causing your child to ask for time off, contact the school so that we can help sort out the problem.
• All routine and non-emergency dental / doctor’s appointments must be made out of school hours.

½ day off each week 
= 4 weeks off over a school year 
= 28 weeks off over 7 years in primary school 
= 2 terms of school missed.

Late Arrival

When your child arrives late at school, he/she misses the teacher’s instructions at the start of the day and the routine that the rest of the class are in and valuable learning and intervention time.  Your child may also feel embarrassed having to enter the classroom late.

It is very important that good examples are set and that excellent attendance and punctuality are expected.  Frequent lateness and absence can seriously disadvantage your child.