Attendance
Planned absence: Parents/Carers must complete a leave of absence form if pupils are taken out of school during term time. If pupils are attending hospital appointments, please can you notify the school in advance either in the home-school diary or by telephoning school.
‘Amendments to the 2006 regulations remove references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted’
Department for Education
Pupils arriving late and leaving early: If pupils arrive after 9.00 am or leave before 3.00 pm, we request that all parents/carers enter school via the reception so that pupils can be signed in/off the premises. This ensures that the registers are up to date for Health and Safety requirements.
Unplanned absence & poorly pupils: To assist with the planning of the day we would appreciate, wherever possible, if parents could phone the school by 8.50 if their child is going to be absent that day – messages can be left on the school answer phone. If no contact has been made and the pupil is not in school by 9.30 am, then school will phone home. Please report all school absence to the office and when phoning, could you also give a brief description of the symptoms.
Due to the vulnerability of many of our pupils, the school follows a strict approach with any child who is unwell (that hasn’t been included as part of their health care plan) and they should not be in school. Any child who does come to school who is unwell, will be supported appropriately and parents will be contacted immediately to collect them. It is essential that we can contact you at ALL times.
While we have every sympathy for parents when their child is unwell and the impact; we must stress that the school is not the appropriate environment for them. We have a duty of care to all pupils and staff employed by the school and ask that parents/carers understand their role in this.
Reminder:
In order to prevent the spread of infection The Dales School ensures high standards of personal hygiene and practice by following the guidelines as set out by the Health Protection Agency:
Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
- Period to be kept away from school – 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting
- Exclusion from swimming should be for 2 weeks following last episode of diarrhoea
Headlice: Headlice are only transmitted by direct, prolonged, head-to-head contact. The school asks parent/carers to regularly check their child’s hair and treat accordingly.
The following information is an extract from the NHS website – we hope you find it useful:
When your child is unwell, it can be hard deciding whether to keep them off school. A few simple guidelines can help.
Not every illness needs to keep your child from school. If you keep your child away from school, be sure to inform the school on the first day of their absence.
Use common sense when deciding whether or not your child is too ill to attend school. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my child well enough to engage fully in learning activities? If not, keep your child at home.
- Does my child have a condition that could be passed on to other children or school staff? If so, keep your child at home.
Common conditions
Whether you send your child to school will depend on how severe you think the illness is. This guidance can help you make that judgement. Remember: if you’re concerned about your child’s health, consult a health professional.
Cough and cold. A child with a minor cough or cold may attend school. If the cold is accompanied by a raised temperature, shivers or drowsiness, the child should stay off school, visit the GP and return to school 24 hours after they start to feel better. If your child has a more severe and long-lasting cough, consult your GP. They can give guidance on whether the child should stay off school.
Raised temperature. If your child has a raised temperature, they shouldn’t attend school. They can return 24 hours after they start to feel better.
Rash. Skin rashes can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles. Children with these conditions shouldn’t attend school. If your child has a rash, check with your GP or practice nurse before sending them to school.
Headache. A child with a minor headache doesn’t usually need to be kept off school. If the headache is more severe or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as raised temperature or drowsiness, then keep the child off school and consult your GP.
Vomiting and diarrhoea. Children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting should definitely be kept off school until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have gone. Most cases of vomiting or diarrhoea get better without treatment, but if symptoms persist, consult your GP.
Sore throat. A sore throat alone doesn’t have to keep a child from school. If it’s accompanied by a raised temperature, the child should stay at home
It’s important to inform the school if your child is going to be absent. On the first day of your child’s illness, telephone the school to tell them that your child will be staying at home. The school may ask about the nature of the illness and how long you expect the absence to last. If it becomes clear that your child will be away for longer than expected, phone the school as soon as possible to explain this.