Absence Reporting

If your Child is unwell

If your child is too ill to attend the school, parents/carers should contact your child’s Head of Year as soon as possible.  Please notify us:

  • by telephone call 0116 269 3896 and select option 1 or
  • by completing our online Absence Form

    Please give us your Child’s Name, Tutor Group, the reason for the absence, and how long you expect the absence to last. We ask that you contact us each day that your child is absent.   

If your child has an appointment

All routine medical and other appointments should be arranged out of school time. In exceptional circumstances, where an urgent appointment is required or for hospital clinic appointments that operate during the day only, please complete the online Absence Reporting Form.  We may request sight of an appointment card or letter in order to authorise any absence from school.

Leave of Absence

Parents/carers are strongly advised to avoid taking their children on holiday during term time. Requests during term time will not be authorised, time lost from education has a negative impact on student progress and achievement.

In exceptional circumstances written requests for extended leave should be made in advance to the Headteacher. Retrospective requests will not be considered and therefore will result in the absence being categorised as unauthorised.

All requests for Exceptional Leave must be requested in advance by completing the
 Exceptional Leave request form.  Paper copies can be provided on request. 

All requests  will be responded to in writing.
If the permission to take leave is not granted the absence will be

If the permission to take leave is not granted the absence will be unauthorised, this will leave to a referral to the local authority attendance team and a penalty charge will be issued.

With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices, the following changes will come into force for unauthorised absences that occur after 19th August 2024.

5 Consecutive Days of Term Time Leave

Penalty Notice fines will be issued for term time leave of 5 or more consecutive days, and for fewer days where this has happened before.

10 Sessions of Unauthorised Absence in a 10-week period

Penalty Notice fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions of absence in a 10-week period.

Per Parent, Per Child

Penalty Notice fines will be issued to each parent, for each child who was absent.

For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave will result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines. 

First Offence

The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be £160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days. Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days,

Second Offence (Within 3 Years)

The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be 160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days (No option to pay £80 level)

 

Third Offence and Any Further offences (Within 3 Years)

The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued. The case will proceed to the Magistrates’ Court. Magistrate’s fines can be up to £2,500 per parent per child.