Absence and Medical

Absence

It is important that your child attends school daily.

If your child is sick or absent for any unforeseen reasons you must notify the school by 9 am on the first morning of the absence. You can do this on Parentmail, phone message or email, failure to do so may result in an unauthorised absence.

If your child has an unusual sickness pattern or their attendance falls significantly below our goal of 97% for all children, we will ask you to provide medical evidence from your doctor. Persistent absent levels may result in meeting with the senior leadership team.

It is not possible for the school to authorise absences for shopping, birthdays, day trips etc. Leave may however be granted in an emergency or genuine pastoral reasons e.g. after the death of a close relative.

Parents are asked to make routine medical and dental appointments outside of school time whenever possible. A ‘present’ mark can still be awarded if the child attends for as much of the session as they can. It is always better to attend for some of the time, rather than missing the whole day.

Very exceptional circumstances for leave during term time will be directed to the head teacher for consideration. Parents/carers should outline reasons for requesting the leave of absence in writing.

Attendance advice:

Head lice

If you child catches head lice, we ask that you treat your child’s hair before returning them to school. Either with treatment from the pharmacist or by wet combing with conditioner.

Threadworms

If your child gets threadworms, please treat them before they return to school. You can buy a suitable treatment from the pharmacist. Please ensure that you child knows how to give their hands a thorough wash.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

If you child has vomiting and diarrhoea, please keep them at home for 48 hours after their final episode of either vomit or diarrhoea. This is really important to ensure that they are clear of infection. Both vomiting and diarrhoea spread very easily in schools and some children can be very unwell with these infections.

Fever/high temperature

Fevers/high temperatures indicate pain or infection. Please keep your child at home for 24 hours or until they are completely well.

Coughs and colds

Children can still come to school with a light cough or cold, as long as you are satisfied that they are well enough to join in with a typical day- this would include playing outside, eating regular food, joining in with gymnastics etc.

Chicken pox

Chicken pox is very common and usually does the rounds at some point. Children need to be off school as soon as the infection starts and remain at home until all their spots have crusted over. This is usually five days, but can take longer. You child can still get chicken pox if they have been vaccinated.

Slapped cheek

Please keep your child home until they feel well enough to join in with a usual day.

Scarlet fever

Please keep your child at home for 24 hours after starting antibiotics and until the fever has passed.

Tonsillitis

Keep your child at home until they feel well enough to join in with a typical day and are able to eat. Keep them home for 24 hours after starting antibiotics if it’s a bacterial infection, even if they feel well.

Ear infection

Keep your child at home until they feel well enough to join in with a typical day.

Tummy ache

This really depends on the cause. Keep them home if they can’t manage a normal day at school.

Measles

Hopefully most children will be vaccinated against this. If anyone does get measles, they must remain at home for a minimum of 4 days from the onset of the rash. It’s likely that they may need a little longer if they feel very unwell.

Mumps

Keep your child at home for 5 days from the onset of infection. You can still get mumps even with vaccination.

Impetigo

This is not usually serious, but very infectious. Please keep your child at home for 48h after starting treatment.

Conjunctivitis

Please start your preferred treatment at home, then return to school. Keep your child home if they feel unwell with it.

Hand, Foot, Mouth in humans

Please note: this is not the same infection that occurs in farm animals! Keep children at home until they feel better and can join in with a normal day. Usually for 5 days from onset of infection.