If prior notification of absence has not been given to your child’s class teacher we ask that parents/carers inform us of their child’s absence as follows:
Day 1:
- Contact the school to report absence as soon as possible.
- Tell us the reason for absence and the expected date of return.
Day 2 and subsequent days:
Contact the school in order to keep the teacher updated on your child’s recovery and expected date of return as soon as possible.
Absences can be reported by ringing the School or College (01245 491492) or via the dedicated pupil absence e-mail address (absence@columbusschoolandcollege.org).
First Day Calling Policy: If we don’t hear from you, a member of the Administration Team will contact you by 10:30am to ascertain the reason for absence.
School Attendance and the Law:
Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring their children attend school regularly and punctually. Failure to do so could result in legal action being taken against them by the Local Authority.
Under the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006, only the school (and not parents/carers) can authorise an absence.
Time off for a family holiday during term time is not a legal right; although schools have the discretion to allow up to 10 days’ leave of absence within a school year.
Applications for a Leave of Absence During Term Time must be made in advance by returning the attached completed absence form to the school office.
If a holiday is taken without prior permission from the school, or where the request for leave was not agreed, the absence will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’. This may result in legal action being taken against the parent/carer by the Local Authority.