Absence Procedures

In the event of absence, parents are requested to ring the Absence Line (01483 239 220) by 9.00am on a daily basis and, on the child’s return, to send an absence note confirming the reason for absence and the number of days missed.  Where no notification of absence is received, you will be contacted by the school.

Students who need to leave the premises during school time must bring a note from home or an appointment card to be initialled by the Form Tutor.  They must sign out at Student Reception before leaving and sign in on their return.  These are important procedures in helping to ensure the safety and welfare of all our students.

Parents should not take students out of school during term time.  Holiday requests will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. 

Please download a Leave of Absence Form if required.

The Truancy Call system will automatically telephone the parents of students who are not present for registration and are absent without permission.

Please refer to the 'Parents Guide - Return to School Following an Absence' document below to assist in supporting your child. 

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The guidance below has been issued by Surrey County Council:

Penalty Notices to Address Poor Attendance at School

A Penalty Notice may be issued as an alternative to the prosecution of a parent/carer for their child’s unauthorised absence from school and will be used by Surrey County Council in the following circumstances:-

1. Pupils identified by police and education welfare officers engaged on Truancy Patrols and who have incurred unauthorised absences.

2. Leave of absence in term time (5 days or 10 sessions or more).  Please be aware that The Education (Pupil Registration)(England)(Amendment) Regulations 2013, which became law on 1^st September 2013, state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.  The Headteacher is also required to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted.

In such cases the Headteacher/Governing Body have to judge whether there are exceptional circumstances and may request that the Local Authority issue Penalty Notices when the absence is not authorised.Warnings will not be given where it can be shown that parents have been notified that such absences will not be authorised.

3. The issue of a Penalty Notice will also be considered where it is judged that a parent is failing to ensure their child’s regular school attendance.  This will be considered if the attendance is below 90% and there are seven or more unauthorised sessions in the previous six school weeks, which may include a pupil arriving after close of registration.

If you believe at any stage that your child’s absence from school may leave you liable to receive a Penalty Notice, it is extremely important that you take action without delay to secure their regular attendance.  If you have any questions, or require further support to achieve an improvement, please contact the school or the Education Welfare Officer.

Penalty Notice relating to Exclusions

If a child is excluded from school, Section 103 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 places a duty on parents/carers to ensure that their child is not in a public place without justifiable cause during school hours.  The duty applies to the first five days of each exclusion.  Failure to do so will render the parent/carer liable to a Penalty Notice.  (Alternative education provision will be made available from the sixth day of any exclusion.)

Amount Payable for a Penalty Notice

The amount payable for a Penalty Notice issued in any of the above circumstances is £60 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the Notice, rising to £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days.  If the Penalty Notice is not paid, the recipient will be prosecuted in the Magistrates Court for the offence for which the Notice was originally issued.

Please be aware that each parent is liable to receive a Penalty Notice for each child who incurs unauthorised absences; for example, if there are two parents and one child, each parent will receive one Penalty Notice.  If there are two parents and two children, each parent will receive two Penalty Notices (one for each child) which amounts to £120 each if paid within 28 days.

Advice and support is available from the Gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence