Attendance and absence
Regular attendance helps pupils feel settled, build relationships and make progress. We recognise that many of our pupils have health needs or medical appointments. We work with families to understand any difficulties and support pupils to attend as regularly as possible.
If your child is absent
Please contact your child’s site by 09.00am on each day they are absent, giving the reason:
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Low Fell: 0191 487 4595
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High Heworth: 0191 691 3581
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If your child uses local authority transport, please also let the transport team know.
If your child will be absent for a longer period, contact us so we can agree how to keep in touch and support their return.
Medical appointments
Please arrange appointments outside school hours where possible. We understand this is not always possible, particularly for specialist appointments.
Let us know in advance and provide the appointment letter or card. Where your child is well enough, please arrange for them to attend school before or after the appointment.
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Medication
If your child needs medication administering in school, only medication prescribed by a doctor or consultant can be given, with the exception of paracetamol or Calpol where you have given prior consent. Medication must be handed to a member of staff by a responsible adult, never sent in bags or lunchboxes, and never placed in a water bottle or drink. A signed consent form is needed before we can give any medication, and we need any change of dosage in writing before we can act on it. Pain relief can be given after 12pm where consent is in place
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Leave during term time
Leave during term time can only be agreed in exceptional circumstances. Please submit a leave of absence request form before making any bookings.
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Submitting a request does not mean that leave has been approved.
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Support with attendance
If your child is finding it difficult to attend school, please speak to their class teacher or our family liaison team. We can work together to understand what is making attendance difficult and agree the support they need.
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