A reminder regarding Leave of Absence

Good attendance is important for children to achieve the best outcomes in school. There is research to show that there is a correlation between attendance and exam results. Children should come to school every day unless they are too ill. Where a child's absence becomes an issue due to illness, the school will ask for evidence from a medical practitioner before they condone the absence.

Where there is evidence of significant medical reasons affecting their attendance, the school will do its best to support learning until the child is well enough to return to school.

The law states a leave of absence may only be granted by a school if an application is made in advance and if it considers there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.

Leave of Absences which are not made in advance cannot be authorised in line with legislation.  This will result in the absence being recorded as ‘unauthorised’.  All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of absence will be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service, part of Warwickshire County Council.  Penalty notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices and, in the first instance, as an alternative to prosecution proceedings.

It is important to note, Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent child.

Please find attached a copy of Warwickshire County Council’s newsletter extract.

If you require a Leave of Absence form, please contact the school office.