Absence

If your child is absent through sickness or any unavoidable cause, please could you inform the school by telephone in the first instance no later than 9.30am. This absence constitutes an authorised absence. A note will be required from you on your child’s return.

Holidays

If your child needs to take time out of school for any reason other than illness, please contact the school office who can provide the neccessary absence form or download the form here.

From September 2012 all twenty-three schools in Norton Radstock have agreed to adopt a standard practice of not authorising holidays in term time unless there are very exceptional circumstances.

Exceptional circumstances could include:
a family member being seriously or terminally ill and the holiday proposed is likely to be the last such holiday;
a death or significant trauma in the family and a holiday may help the child cope with the situation;
the holiday being a unique, one-off, never to be repeated occasion that is time limited.

Reasons linked to financial advantage and family commitments will not be accepted under these criteria.

Reducing absence from school is a key priority nationally and locally because missing school damages a pupil’s attainment levels and also disrupts school routines and the learning of others. Above all, missing school seriously affects children’s longer term life opportunities.

If parents take their children on holiday in term time and leave of absence has not been granted, the Local Education Authority may issue a Penalty Notice under Section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996. The Penalty Notice imposes a fine of up to £100 per parent per child.


Please click the link to B&NES – Holidays in Term Time

If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate in contacting the school.