Absence

Good attendance at school is crucial for curriculum continuity. If a pupil is absent for any reason we require confirmation from parents/guardians that the absence is authorised by them.

Absences / Late / Leaving Early

A telephone call to the school office before 9.00a.m. helps avoid unnecessary calls from the administration team who will check up on any unexplained absence. We are required to check any unexplained absences and could carry out welfare checks should we be unable to make contact with a parent/carer.

For reasons of safety any pupil who is late into school, or leaves early for any reason, is asked to sign in (or out) at the school office. Pupils leaving early are expected to wait in the reception area so that they remain under school supervision until they are collected.

Pupils are not permitted to leave school during normal school hours unless collected by an authorised adult.

Website – Absence Reporting

Holidays

The taking of holidays during the school term is discouraged. Time away from school is disruptive and it often results in large amounts of ‘catch-up’ work that needs to be done on the pupil’s return. We ask, therefore, for family holidays not to be taken during the school term. This is especially important for Year 6 when the children are working towards their end of Key Stage tests.

Since September 2013 it has been law that Headteachers can not authorise holidays in term time except for exceptional circumstances. Parents requesting holidays should complete a holiday request form and give as much detail as possible if they believe their reason to be exceptional.

The conditions in which leave of absence during term time may be granted are contained in Regulation 8 of the Education Regulations (Pupils Registration) and Section 38 – 42 of School Attendance: Policy and Practice on Categorisation of Absence 1994.

Ralph Sadleir School may pursue fixed penalty notices in line with guidance from our Local Authority should attendance be continually poor or severely disrupted by extended holiday periods during term time.

Please email the school office at admin@ralphsadleir.academy to give written confirmation of holidays booked outside of the school term.