Students must attend school by law. The only exceptions to having time away from school are the following circumstances:
- Sickness or unavoidable cause.
- Religious Observance.
- Transport problems where the school is not within walking distance.
- Participation in an approved sporting/music activity or approved public performance.
- Medical/Dental Treatment.
- Absence following the death of a close member of the family.
The Education Welfare Officer (EWO) visits the school each week to check on attendance. Any concerns that the school may have about attendance will be passed on to the EWO. This may be followed up with a home visit or an appointment with the EWO. We are required to publish statistics relating to ‘authorised’ and ‘unauthorised’ absences. If a pupil is late to school then, he/she should come into school via Reception and get him/herself signed in. If a pupil needs to leave during the school day for an appropriate reason, e.g. Dentist/Doctor’s appointment, the school should be notified via a note or a phone call. Unauthorised absence would clearly include truancy but would also include absences which are known of, and sanctioned, by parents, but which fall outside the categories of authorised absence outlined above. If you are unsure then please contact the school as all ‘Unauthorised Absences’ are passed on to the Education Welfare Officer.
