The National Picture 

Attendance has declined considerably since COVID.  Our school attendance was previously 97% for the whole school.  Currently we are approximately 95%.  As a percentage this might not sound like a big deal but due to the size of our school that 1% is appromitaely 594 days of learning lost.

Is my child too ill for school?

The NHS give some useful guidance on how to make the decision about whether they need to rest at home or if they can come into school.  We can give your child some calpol/nurofen if they have a headache.    The phrase "see how you go!" is often something we might tell our children if they are feeling a bit tired or have a headache  or tummy ache in the morning as it may well pass.  Of course, if we notice a child's health decline during the day we will inform you and consider if they need to go home.  Google searched for advice can be overwhelming.  We recommend the following website which gives consistent and NHS based advice on your child's illness.  For NHS-recommended advice on common childhood illnesses and guidance on when your child should stay off school, visit Patient.info.

If I keep my child off and then they appear well can I bring them in later?

Absolutely, sometimes children can appear to be poorly but once they have had an opportuity for a little rest and/or some medication they might be bouncing around the house!  So feel free to send them in rather than keeping them off for the whole day.

Can I take my child on holiday during term time?

Parents should plan their holidays around school breaks and avoid requesting leaves of absence for holidays unless it is unavoidable.  As leave of absence is only granted in exceptional circumstances.  It is extremely rare that a holiday will be authorised.  If permission is refused and you keep your child off school on the days requested, you are likely to be committing an offence and be issued a fixed penalty notice or be prosecuted by your local authority.