Attendance

Absence

What do I need to do?

My child won’t be in school because they are too ill to attend.

Telephone 01676 532141 or office@berkswell.solihull.sch.uk as soon as possible. You will need to provide your child’s name, class, reason for illness and anticipated date of return. Ideally this should be before 8.50am and no later than 9.05am. The exact nature of the illness will be required rather than stating they are ‘ill’, ‘feeling unwell’ etc.

You are also required to contact school on each subsequent day of absence.

My child needs to attend a medical/dental appointment.

This should be arranged outside of the school day or
during school holidays if possible. This leave of absence requires authorisation (in advance) by the headteacher.
Without this, it will be recorded as unauthorised and could lead to a fixed penalty notice (fine) being issued. The leave of absence granted will only be for the duration of the appointment and the time required to travel there and back.

We are going on a family holiday.

The DfE does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or leave of absence for the purpose of leisure or recreation to be exceptional circumstance. This means it will be recorded as unauthorised and could lead to a fixed penalty notice (fine) being issued. As with
any other absence, you are required to inform school of this absence, its duration and when your child will be returning to school.

It’s their/a family member’s birthday.

Absence for this reason cannot be authorised and could lead to a fixed penalty notice (fine) being issued.

They are taking part in a regulated performance.

You will need to submit a ‘request to authorise term-time absence’ form to the headteacher.

It’s snowing (or any other adverse type of weather).

Unless we have had to close the school, your child will still be expected to attend. Should your child fail to attend then their absence will be recorded as unauthorised and could lead to a fixed penalty notice (fine) being issued.

Their sibling’s school is closed.

If our school is open, then your child will still be expected to attend. Should your child fail to attend then their absence will be recorded as unauthorised and could lead to a fixed penalty notice (fine) being issued.

Their sibling is ill.

Your child will still be expected to attend. Should your child fail to attend then their absence will be recorded as unauthorised and could lead to a fixed penalty notice (fine) being issued.

We are unable to transport them there.

Let us know so that we can try to help you make alternative transport arrangements.