The School should receive written notification of all medical appointments in advance and have attached the appointment letter received.  Notification slips are available from the school office.  There is no need for children to miss a whole session for a medical appointment – children can be collected from the school office at the appropriate time and then returned to school.

On the first day of absence, please telephone the school with a reason and update on a daily basis.  On the day that your child returns, a written/verbal explanation must be given to the class teacher if no reason has already been provided.  If the school receives no reason for the absence, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.  Please click on the following below for further guidance on childhood illnesses. 
Is my child too ill for school?
How long should you keep your child off school?
A parent's guide to keeping children healthy

The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 were amended as from 1st September 2013 by The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

All references to family holidays and extended leave have been removed, together with the right for parents to apply for up to ten days' holiday during term time. Headteachers are no longer permitted to grant leave of absence during term time, unless it is agreed there are exceptional circumstances.

There was also a change from 19 August 2024.  There is a National Framework for Penalty Notice Fines being issued for unauthorised absences recorded by schools.  There is a three-stage system in place.  The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence, the fine amount will be £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.  If not paid within 21 days, the fine will increase to £160 per parent per child, payable between the 22nd and 28th day.  The second offence (within 3 years) will incur a Penalty Notice at the £160 per parent, per child - payable within 28 days.  The third offence and any further offences (within 3 years),  a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case will be presented straight to the Magistate's Court, where prosecution can result in criminal records and fines of up to £2,500.  More information can be found in the box below. 

Any requests falling under the ‘exceptional circumstances’ category need to be made in advance, using the school’s form, with an accompanying letter explaining why the circumstances are considered exceptional. Please do not put the school in the position of having to decline approval for holidays, which could lead to a referral to the Local Authority for a penalty notice to be issued. Never put your child in the position of trying to ‘cover up’ for an absence, as this can be difficult and does not teach children the correct values.

Parents can also receive a Penalty Notice for general non-attendance which is monitored on a fortnightly basis.

As you know, we have always had high expectations for pupil attendance at Fawbert & Barnard’s – it is part of our high standards and ‘part of the package’ when you choose us. Studies show a strong link between pupil attainment and attendance, and we aim for every pupil to achieve as much as they can. To do this, their attendance needs to be as high as possible.

We greatly value the positive relationship between parents and the school and do not want the issue of holidays to create conflict in this relationship. We trust you will work with us to ensure your child attends school as much as possible.