Absence
PROCEDURE IN CASE OF ILLNESS
A student (or parent/carer) must inform the school, if you are unable to attend lessons for all or part of that day, by telephoning Mrs. Kirk on 01964 611545 between 8.50 am and 10.30 am on that day. Please note calls can only be taken between these times.
When telephoning in, the call will be logged. This will NOTIFY the school of your absence – the absence will not be authorised until the correct document (self certificate) is completed immediately on your return to school.
If you are also absent the following day, there must again be a call between 8.50 am and 10.30 am, for this and each consecutive day of absence. If you can determine the length of absence, there will be no need to ring each morning. PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROCESS ONLY NOTIFIES THE SCHOOL OF ABSENCE, IT DOES NOT AUTHORISE IT.
Upon your return to school, if the absence has been for 3 days or less, a self-certificate (available from Mrs. Kirk) must be completed and handed back to Mrs. Kirk before 11:30 that same day.
Three instances of self-certification per term will be accepted. Any subsequent absence due to illness must be covered both by a self-certificate, and a note from a parent/carer.
If the absence has been longer than 3 consecutive working days, you must bring in a letter from a parent, responsible adult or a doctor. This letter must be given to Mrs. Kirk.
In the case of frequent absences, it may be necessary to complete a ‘Return to School’ report, and arrange an interview to discuss the absence with your Form Tutor.
PROCEDURE FOR REASONS OTHER THAN ILLNESS
If you know that you are going to be away from school, and the reason for the absence qualifies as an acceptable ‘Authorised Absence’, you must NOTIFY Mrs. Kirk 2 days before the absence takes place.
Authorised absences as outlined in this agreement WILL NOT BE AUTHORISED AFTER THE EVENT.
To authorise your absence, you will be required to complete an Authorised Absence Form 2 days prior to your absence, making sure you supply written evidence for your absence at the same time (see examples of authorised and unauthorised absence with examples of the type of evidence required to support an authorised absence).
If you request an authorised absence for a morning session, but then feel unable to attend the remainder of the day, you must telephone Mrs. Kirk to gain a reference number and then self-certificate yourself for the remainder of the day, by filling in a Self-Certification Form on you return to school.
It may be appropriate to allow authorisation where doctor’s appointments have to be made for the same day, in which case you must NOTIFY Mrs. Kirk by telephone between 8.50 am and 10.30 am on the same day, making sure you authorise your absence on return to school by filling in an Authorised Absence Form on the same day or the following day, and handing an appointment card as evidence to Mrs. Kirk.
