Absence from school

Illness

Parents are asked to contact the school daily before 9.10 am (or as soon as possible), when their child is to be absent either by telephoning, by ParentMail or via email; if the school has not been contacted then we will telephone the parent/carer to find out the reason for absence. Any unexplained absence will be recorded as unauthorised and will appear in the school records. The school does not have any medical facilities and parents are therefore requested not to send children to school if they are unwell, or have not fully recovered from an illness.

In the event of a child being taken ill whilst at school, the parent or carer will be contacted and asked to collect the child from school as soon as possible. A child should not return to school following sickness or diarrhoea until at least 48 hours have passed since the last incidence.

Medicines

The school cannot undertake to administer medicines unless a signed and completed consent form (obtained from the school office) is received from the parents along with the medication (in it’s original container and prescription label). This should confirm the name, dosage and the time it is to be taken. The full bottle of medicine and a spoon should be left with the office staff and they will administer the dose. The bottle will need to be collected from the school office at the end of the day. We are only able to dispense prescribed medication (not anything bought ‘over the counter’ ). We therefore ask for your co-operation in only requesting our assistance if you are unable to administer the medication yourself, or if it is vital that it is given during the school day.

Holidays during Term Time

You may be aware The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, regarding absence for the purpose of a family holiday, was amended. They have removed the ability for the headteacher to grant a family holiday during term time of up to 10 days in ‘special circumstances’.

The new legislation makes it clear that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are ‘exceptional circumstances’.

If leave is taken without authorisation it will be recorded as unauthorised absence and the matter may be referred to the Council’s Education Welfare Service, for consideration of further action.

Term Time Leave of Absence

Leave of absence of one day, for a special reason, such as external examinations or funeral attendance can be applied for. This absence will only be recognised if certified approval has been granted by the Headteacher.

The form to apply for either of the above types of leave of absence can be found in the school office, or use the link below.  Please complete and return to the office for the headteacher’s attention.

Application for leave of absence

Further details around attendance can be found using the link below.

https://darcyschool.co.uk/policies/