Attendance and Punctuality

Unplanned Absences

If your child is absent for any reason, please contact the school office immediately on 0208 390 9544 or via email.  

If your child is unwell, please provide details of the illness and your child's full name and class. Parents will need to keep the school informed daily if the absence is to continue. An explanation of your child's absence may be required on return to school.  

We fully understand that sometimes children cannot attend school because they are feeling unwell. However, medical advice is clear that children with mild illness are often well enough to attend—for example, if they have a cough, headache, or cold without a temperature. 

Is my child too ill for school?

Authorised and Unauthorised Absence

The school can only authorise absences in the following circumstances:

• Illness (with medical evidence)

• Dental/medical appointments (these should be made out of school hours where possible)

• Close family bereavement

• Recognised religious observance (one day only)

• Examination

Please try to arrange all medical appointments during holiday times or out of school hours. 

If you cannot make doctor or dentist appointments out of school hours, wherever possible the child should come to school before the appointment and return to school afterwards. Please also notify the school office in advance and provide an appointment letter or written confirmation.

Family holidays during the school term will not be authorised. We ask you not to take children out of school to go on holiday or visit relatives abroad during term time as this is very disruptive to their learning. In line with changes to legislation the school is unable to authorise any holidays taken in term time.