Every day at school counts
Of course children are ill on occasions and when this is the case we readily accept that being at home is the best place to be. Children can't help being ill and as a school we want all our children to be well and healthy and to learn happily and confidently when they are here. However, this traffic light system is a really useful guide to help you to decide when to sent your child to school.
RED - STAY AT HOME
Raised temperature (of over 38)
Rashes - can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses such as chickenpox and measles. If your child has a rash, check with your GP before sending them to school
AMBER -TAKE ADVICE
Headaches - a child with a minor headache does not usually need to be kept off school.
If the headache is more severe or is accompanied by other symptons such as raised temperature or drowsiness, then keep your child at home and consult your GP.
GREEN -COME TO SCHOOL
Cough
Cold
Sore throat
Feeling tired
We will always contact you if your child becomes ill during the school day.
If your child is too unwell to attend school please log it on Studybugs to inform the school that your child is absent and to expain the cause of the absence. Please inform us about the nature of the illness and the expected duration of the absence.
If we don't receive your Studybugs text, we will phone home to asertain your child's whereabouts and reason for absence.
Please complete Studybugs on subsequent days if your child is away for more than 1 day.
There are 190 school days in an academic year and every one counts.
Along with attending school every day, we also want the children to in school on time and ready to learn. The following graph shows how detrimental just being late for five minutes every day dcan be to your child's education.
If you are struggling with getting your child in school on time daily, please speak to your child's class teacher, Miss McNamee or have a chat with Mrs Summerton our Parental Engagement Coordinator and we will support you to improve this.
Holidays
As parents, you have a legal responsibility to ensure your child’s attendance at school. School term dates are published one year in advance and parents/carers should book their family holidays during school holidays.
Please be aware that The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Headteacher is also required to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted.
Unauthorised absence of 5 days or more may result in the issue of a Penalty Notice
Penalty Notices are issued by the Local Authority in accordance with Surrey County Council’s Code of Conduct. The Penalty Notice is £60, per child per parent/carer, if paid within 21 days, or £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in you being served a summons to appear at the Magistrates Court.
Penalty Notices will not apply to children under statutory school age.
If you feel there are exceptional circumstances which mean your child is taking time off school, you must complete a holiday form which you can get form the office, or download the document below.