What to do if your child…
• is absent from school through illness
So that we are sure of the whereabouts and safety of our students, we ask that parents/carers ring the school by 9 am each day of absence (please use the absence mailbox when you hear the main school telephone menu). For absences of less than 3 days, on return to school, a letter signed by parents/carers is required to confirm the reason for absence and the dates involved. We ask that this letter be brought to school on the first day back. For absences of 3 days or more, medical evidence is required. This can include the label from prescribed medicine.
• has a medical or dental appointment
If medical or dental appointments have to be made during school time, an appointment card or a letter from parents/carers should be shown to the Form Tutor (who should sign it) and then handed in to the school office when the student signs out. Where possible, we would ask that appointments be arranged for after school hours, weekends or during the school holidays.
• wants to go on holiday in term time
The government’s stance on taking children out of school during term time makes it clear to parents that they are expected to maintain their children in school throughout term time. We are therefore required not to authorise any holidays unless there are exceptional circumstances. Any requests for a holiday in term time must be submitted using the local authority form, copies of which are available from the school reception. Any requests that are not submitted on this form will be automatically rejected. A fine will be incurred if your child is taken out of school for holiday purposes unless it has been agreed with the school.
• is ill whilst in school
Students who start to feel unwell at school should see the Head of Year and Reception will be asked to ring parents/carers if it is felt a student needs to go home. For safety reasons, students who are unwell will not be allowed to go home unless collected by a parent/carer or an adult nominated by the parent/carer. Please discourage your child from calling you themselves, as we will need to speak to you to assess whether your child needs to go home and to be sure they can get home safely with the appropriate adult.
• is not wearing the correct school uniform
Please send in a note to explain the problem. Students must report to their Head of Year for their note to be signed. This note should not last for more than one day. Failure to meet uniform requirements will result in the student going to Refocus.
• has forgotten dinner money or sandwiches
Students must see the staff at Reception at the beginning of lunch.
• cannot do PE for some reason (e.g. an injury or illness)
Please send in a note to explain the problem.
• has something that makes her/him ill from time to time (e.g., asthma, hay fever, fits, and migraine)
Make sure the Form Tutor and Head of Year are aware of the problem. If a student needs to take regular medication (either prescription or non-prescription), it is possible to send this to school, where it will be kept in a locked cupboard for use when required. Parents/carers will need to complete an authorisation form, which is available from Mrs Stockton – see Key Staff.
• is being bullied or picked on or you would like to speak to a member of staff for another reason
Phone to make an appointment. We will always try to see you, but it helps if we can agree a convenient time. We cannot help to sort out problems if we do not know it is happening.
