It is very important that children attend school regularly and on time. Children who are frequently absent from school or who are regularly late may not make the progress they are capable of. Please don’t keep children away unless they are too unwell to attend school. Helpful information from the NHS can be found linked here.

Parents /Carers should inform the school office of the reasons for absence by either telephone on 0117 3772442, email (office@henleazeinfantschool.org or office@henleazejuniorschool.org) or in person by 08:45 on the first and each consecutive day that their child is absent. The Infant School day starts at 08:50 and the Junior School day starts at 8:55.  

The school office will investigate any unexplained absences by contacting Parents/Carers by phone or by text on the first day of absence.

By law, children have to attend school every day unless they are unwell. The Headteacher has the authority to allow a child to be absent from school only in exceptional circumstances.

 

Effects of Late arrival

• A predictable morning routine helps children arrive at school ready to learn and play.
• Think about what you need to achieve in the mornings. You can probably do many things the night before.
• When you’ve worked out a morning routine, write it up or create pictures and display it where everyone can see it.
• Plenty of sleep, time and positive attention can help children cooperate with school morning routines.
• Example routine and more tips

We expect children to attend school every day that they are well enough to do so and for parents to support a successful start to each day by being punctual. Our expectation is that children have at least 95% attendance. To support this, we publish our term dates and any INSET days well in advance on our school calendars. 

Please see our Attendance Policy below for more information.

We know it can sometimes be difficult to decide whether your child needs to stay at home if they  are feeling unwell.  The NHS has produced guidance to help parents and carers make the right decision: Is my child too ill for school?

PUPIL TERM TIME LEAVE of ABSENCE REQUEST

You have to get permission from the Attendance Lead if you need to take your child out of school during term time.  

• You must make the application to the Attendance Lead before you go on the leave of absence (ideally at least 2 weeks in advance), it cannot be completed when you have returned.
• You must be the parent/guardian who the child normally lives with.
• The Attendance Lead will consider with the Headteacher whether there are exceptional circumstances in relation to the application. 
• If the leave of absence is granted, it is up to the Attendance Lead and Headteacher how many days will be authorised.
• To request permission please complete the form linked below and return to the school office either by hand or via email to office@henleazeinfantschool.org or office@henleazejuniorschool.org with the subject line ‘absence request’. (printed copies of the form are available from the school office on request.)

Unauthorised absences may result in the school recommending the local authority issue a Penalty Notice fine. For information on this please follow the link in the list below.