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Absence form March 2015.doc

Trinity St Stephen First School

REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

DURING TERM TIME

Please complete and return this form to the school office at least 14 days prior to requested dates.

To: Headteacher at Trinity St Stephen First School I wish to request authorisation for my child to be absent from school from (date) ____/___/____

to ____/____/____ . He/she will return to school on ____/____/_____. The total number of days absence

requested is ________.

Name of Pupil __________________________________ Class _________

Please explain the exceptional circumstances: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I have read and understood the school’s Attendance Policy (see overleaf).

I understand the school’s policy regarding unauthorised absence Parent/Carer Signature: ____________________________ Date: _________

For office use only. % attendance to date _________ Date of interview with Headteacher: ____/____/____ n/a C (authorised absence) Letter date / / Registers amended / / G (unauthorised holiday) Salutation

DCSF “School Attendance: Information for Parents” (Revised 2007)

“What about holidays in term time? You should not expect your child’s school to agree to an absence for a holiday in term time. Taking a holiday during term time means that children miss important school time – both educationally and for other school activities. It will be difficult for them to catch up on work later on. Parents do not have a legal right to take children out of school on holiday. The law says that schools have the discretion to grant up to ten days authorised absence in a school year if: ■ the parent the child normally lives with applies in advance of the holiday; and ■ there are special reasons for the holiday. Each application is considered individually by the school, taking into account factors like the timing of the holiday and the child’s attendance record. Schools will only consider requests for more than 10 days leave a year in exceptional circumstances. If you need to take your child out of school during term time you should: ■ request the time off for your child as soon as possible and always before the holiday; ■ never ask for time off during exam or test periods unless for exceptional circumstances; ■ do not book travel for holidays in term time, until you have sought the school’s permission; and ■ remember that the school might not agree to authorise the time off.”

\\main\home\Attendance Records & EWO\Leave Of Absence Requests & Info\Request for Leave of

Absence form March 2015.doc

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The attendance of children at school is of vital importance. If they

do not attend school regularly their learning is fragmented, their

acquisition of skills and knowledge is interrupted, and their

educational achievements are potentially damaged.

When a child falls behind their peers through reasons of non-

attendance the teaching staff needs to devote time and effort to

rectify the situation, thereby depriving other children of these

resources.

Promoting and sustaining good attendance at school is therefore

fundamental to supporting learning and the raising of achievement.

The Governors expect regular and punctual attendance at each of the

twice daily sessions of each school day within the given term dates.

THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Attendance requirements are contained in:

• The Education Act 1996 - sections 434(1)(3)(4)&(6) and 458(4)&(5)

• The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006

• The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment)

Regulations 2010

• The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment)

Regulations 2011

• The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment)

Regulations 2013

arents/carers must make reasonable efforts to ensure their

children attend school

The attendance of a child will be noted twice each day by the

school

There is no automatic right for a child to be absent from school

Extended periods of absence may be granted only in

exceptional circumstances

All applications for holiday absence must be made in writing

ABSENCE

On the first day of unauthorised absence the school will contact the

parents/carers to attempt to identify the reason for the absence. This

is in accordance with RBWM’s First Day Response initiative.

If a child is absent, without notification from the parents, by

telephone or in writing, an unauthorised absence mark will be

recorded in the register. This situation remains so until the reason for

absence is given by the parent/carer. If a child arrives after

registration a late mark will be recorded.

If the absence continues without a satisfactory explanation for one

week, the Head Teacher will send a letter of enquiry. If there is still

no response from Parents, the Headteacher will ask the Educational

Welfare Officer [EWO] to contact the family.

Parents of children whose attendance record contains unauthorised

absence for 10 sessions or more will automatically be required to

attend an interview with the Headteacher and a representative of

RBWM’s EWO department to discuss their child’s attendance.

School registers are checked at least once a term by a representative

of RBWM's Local Education Authority.

Illness, medical and dental

appointments

If a child is unable to attend

school for these reasons

please let the school know in

advance, if possible or by

10am of the day of illness.

School must receive a call on

every day of illness.

Close Family bereavements or serious

illness of a close family member

(Close family is Mother, Father,

brother, sister)

Absence under these

circumstances would be

authorised.

Special Occasions Only exceptional

circumstances will be

authorised by the Head

Teacher. A Leave of Absence

Form must be completed two

weeks advance.

Public performances/ sporting

events/external exams

Absence for participation in

sporting events or external

exams must be requested by

completing a Leave of

Absence Form two weeks in

advance. These events will

normally be authorised.

HOLIDAYS

There are approximately 190 school days in the academic year,

leaving 175 days available for children to take holidays. Lengthy

and repeated absences put children's education at risk. The school

actively discourages any child being absent from school.

There are no circumstances in which absence for family holiday

will be authorized. Absence in these circumstances will be

recorded as unauthorised.

There will be PENALTY NOTICES issued by RBWM for 10 or

more consecutive sessions of unauthorised absence (a session is a

morning or afternoon) i.e. 5 unauthorised consecutive days or more

(holidays in term time) or 10 or more unauthorised absences i.e. 5

unauthorised days in an academic year. A Penalty Notice currently

requires a payment of £60 per parent/carer per child within 21 days

or £120 between 22 and 28 days and will result in prosecution for

unauthorised absence if not paid.

LATENESS

The doors to the school are opened by 08:45 ready for parents/carers

to bring children into school. Between 08:45 and the official start of

the school day at 08:55 is a special time for parents/carers to share

the start of the day together.

The registers are taken by class teachers at 09:00 and they are closed

at 09:30. Parents/carers must give a reason for their child's absence,

even if it is given after the child has returned to school.

Afternoon registration takes place at 13:00. Similar to the morning

registration, parents/carers must give a reason for their child's

absence.

The school day ends at 15:15, when children are collected by their

parents/carers. All Staff endeavour to ensure children come out on

time.

Updated March 2015