Absence and Medical Care

Absences

Please ensure that you report your child's absence at the earliest opportunity using this form: Report Child Absence

For safeguarding reasons, we require each day of absence to be reported. If absence is not reported, the Attendance Officer will contact you during the course of the morning.

Please note that we do require parental consent for absences for students in all Years 7-13. Messages left by students themselves are not acceptable.   

Please note that the law states that parents do not have the right to authorise absence, therefore requests for leave of absence for exceptional circumstances must be made to the Principal at least two weeks in advance. Any requests for leave due to exceptional circumstances must be completed on the form located at the bottom of this page. 

There are 175 non-school days. We request that medical and dental appointments should preferably be made during these days, or alternatively after the school day has finished, so that your child does not miss valuable educational time.

We have high expectations for our students’ attendance as with all aspects of school life. We would ask all students, parents and carers to note that each day of absence equates to five sessions of learning that have been missed. We ask all students to aim for at least 97% attendance to give them the best chance of achieving highly. Any child whose attendance falls below 90% is defined as a ‘persistent absentee’ and we work to monitor and support these students in order to help improve their attendance wherever it is possible.

We are committed to supporting all our students and families with keeping attendance high. If you would like to discuss any aspect of attendance, or if there are any medical or ongoing health reasons which may impact on full attendance at school, please contact the Attendance Officer or speak with your child’s Form Tutor.

Medical care

Our lead qualified first aider is Julie Brinkworth, who is on site during school hours to deal with emergencies and children who feel unwell. If for any reason you would like to contact her please call 01993 811431 ext 201.

Pupils who are unwell and/or need to leave school during the school day

• Pupils displaying minor or mild symptoms will be given a short period of time in which to recover. Their status will be regularly monitored while they are in the medical room. In the case of minor or mild symptoms, and after the period of recuperation has expired, a judgement will be made as to whether pupils return to class or parents need to collect them.

• Medical complaints (aches, pains etc.) will be recorded in the medical book while injuries arising from an accident will be recorded on the ‘online’ accident report form.

• No medication will be administered under any of the above circumstances, without prior permission of the parent/carer.

• Please note that should your child need to leave school at any point during the day, parents or carers will need to collect him/her from Reception. If you are unable to come into school, but give permission for your child to walk home or catch a bus, you will need to contact Reception to advise of the arrangements.

Accident/injury sustained whilst at school

In the event of a situation judged to be sufficiently serious the emergency services will be promptly called, as will the parents or the nominated emergency contact(s).

If the pupil is incapacitated i.e. arm in sling/on crutches, parents and/or pupil are asked to report to the lead first aider at reception to undertake a risk assessment upon return to school.

Procedure for informing school of injury sustained out of school hours

Should your child injure him/herself out of school hours, please inform the lead first aider upon return to school for a risk assessment.

Procedure for informing school of post surgery or critical illness care

If your child has been critically unwell or has undergone surgery, please contact the lead first aider for a risk assessment and so that we are well informed to enable us to provide the best care for your child.

Any other medical/first aid enquiries

Please do not hesitate to liaise with the school with any concerns you may have related to medical or first aid queries.