If your child is off school for any reason, it is very important that you ring us to let us know immediately on the first day of absence, and by 9am every day thereafter. We have a 24 hour absence line in order to make this simpler for you.

If your child is not in school by 9.00 a.m. and we have not received a call from you, a member of staff will phone you to find out why. In the interests of your child’s safety, if we have not heard from you on the second day of your child’s absence and we cannot contact you, a member of staff may complete a home visit.

If your child has a medical appointment, then proof of the appointment is required, otherwise the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Wherever possible, please try to make appointments with medical professionals outside school time.

Medical evidence can take the form of prescription labels, appointment cards or a letter from your GP. If your child has to have a medical or dental appointment in school time, please try to make it after 1.50 p.m. so that your child can be registered for the afternoon before you pick them up. If you need to attend a morning appointment please try and bring your child to school first to get his / her mark and then return him / her to school afterwards.

PLEASE NOTE ‐ if a valid reason isn’t given for your child’s absence then it will be recorded as an UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE.

An accumulation of unauthorised absences will lead to a referral to Lancashire County Council. You are reminded that as a parent/carer it is your legal responsibility to ensure that your child attends school regularly and punctually. Failure to do so could result in legal action being taken against you.