Absence Procedure

Absences

Parents must provide an explanation for all absences from school by calling each day of absence and following up in writing upon the child’s return. Messages can be left on our absences answerphone or you may complete the form below. Please leave child's name and details of reason for absence.

The Headteacher will decide whether to accept the reason given and to authorise the absence. It is the school and not the parent who authorise absence.

Following up Absences

Shepherd Primary School follows up all absences from school.

If no reason has been provided for a pupil’s absence by 9:00am on the first day of absence, a parent of the pupil will be contacted by the school office.

If no reason has been provided/obtained for a pupil’s absence after 3 consecutive days, a letter will be sent to the parent of the pupil.

Parents whose children have more than 5% absence from school in a period of 1 term will be contacted by the Headteacher or Assistant Head Teacher for Inclusion, who will work with the parent(s) to bring about an improvement in attendance.

The school may alert the Local Authority Attendance Officer about pupils whose attendance is less than 90%.