Absences

ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME

Taking your child out of school during term time means that they miss out on important educational time. They may find it hard to catch up on work later on, and can sometimes find that their absence affects friendship groups at school.

From 1 September 2013, Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are “exceptional circumstances”. Any request for leave of absence must be made in advance in writing, and will be passed to the Governors for approval.  Permission for “special events” like birthdays, day trips or treats, will not normally be granted.

If your child needs time off for special reasons or circumstances such as a family funeral, religious observance, a visit to hospital or an interview at another school, you should write to the Headteacher, or send an email to office@spjs.org  detailing the situation. You will then be notified whether or not your request has been authorised.

APPOINTMENTS 

We do not encourage children to be taken out of school for appointments during the day. However, if you have no alternative, please email the school office office@spjs.org or write a note in your child’s Home-school book. Proof of your appointment will be required. Your child should be signed in or out in the office.

ILLNESS

If your child is not well enough to attend school, you should inform the school by telephone or  e-mail office@spjs.org on the first day of their absence. Any telephone call should be followed up in writing. If your child has been sick or has had diarrhoea, then they should not return to school until 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea.  

LATENESS

Lateness can also have a detrimental effect on your child’s learning and well-being, so we would ask you ensure that your child always arrives in good time for the start of the school day. Click here to see the structure of the school day.

LOCAL AUTHORITY MONITORING

Our Local Authority Attendance Officer monitors our levels of absence and lateness very closely. Parents may be called in for a formal meeting if their children are persistently late for school, if they have a particularly poor level of attendance, or if a child’s absence has not been authorised by the Headteacher.

Under current legislation, a penalty notice may be issued to any parent who fails to ensure that their children’s regular attendance at school. Parents must pay £60 (if the penalty is paid within 28 days); or £120 (if it is paid within 42 days).