At our school, we believe that every child’s presence matters. Coming to school regularly and on time is not just about learning—it’s about belonging. When children attend school consistently, they feel part of the rhythm of the day, build stronger friendships, and know that they are a valued member of our school community. Every day counts, and every child matters. Being punctual helps children start the day feeling calm, settled, and ready to learn. Arriving on time means they can join in with morning routines, connect with their teacher and friends, and ease into the day without feeling rushed or behind. This gentle, predictable start helps children feel safe, focused, and emotionally ready to take on new challenges with confidence. Good attendance and punctuality also send an important message: you are important, and school is important too. When children know that their school day will start with a warm welcome and a familiar routine, it supports both their learning and their wellbeing. By working together—families and school—we can give every child the best chance to thrive, every single day. Attendance is monitored daily and we telephone parents for any absent children on the morning of any absence. We understand that there may be the occasional day where a child might be too unwell to attend school and that is ok. We are however, very mindful that occasional days absent from school can soon add up and mean that for these children, learning is that bit trickier when they return. So for us, reinforcing brilliant attendance is a must. It is important for all our children to attend school regularly, including the nursery and reception classes. We encourage parents/carers to make doctors, dentist and optician appointments for after school or weekends so that children’s learning is not disrupted. Any learning missed disrupts the children’s memories and this can make catching up difficult. We ask families to provide the medical card with the time and date for any appointments that cannot be avoided. Holidays in school time are not allowed. Unplanned absence We ask that parents and carers inform us of any reason for absence. Parents must notify the school of the reason for any unplanned absence by 8am or as soon as practically possible. We may follow this notification up with a phone call. Parents can report absence by: We will mark absence due to illness as authorised unless the academy has a genuine concern about the authenticity of the illness. If the authenticity of the illness is in doubt, the academy may ask the pupil’s parent/carer to provide medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence. We will not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily. If the academy is not satisfied about the authenticity of the illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents/carers will be notified. Planned Absence Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised if the pupil’s parent/carer notifies the academy in advance of the appointment. If a pupil is present at registration but has a medical appointment during the session in question, no absence needs be recorded for that session. We encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of academy hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the pupil should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary. The pupil’s parent/carer must also apply for other types of term-time absence as far in advance as possible of the requested absence. To request a leave of absence, parents must complete a withdrawal from learning form, which can be obtained from the main office either in person or via email on office@mulberrybaird.org. Lateness and punctuality If a pupil arrives after the register has closed (at 9.25am), this will be an unauthorised absence unless prior details about the absence have been shared and authorised by the principal. Lateness and punctuality are monitored throughout the term by the attendance officer. Where concerns exist about a pupil’s punctuality (a pupil is late more than 7 times in a term), a letter will be sent to remind the parent of the importance of punctuality. If this continues a conversation may be had with the parent as to how we can support the pupil to be in school on time.
Authorised Absence
- Illness and medical/dental appointments
- Religious observance. This is ‘a day exclusively set apart for religious observance’ when the pupil’s parents would be expected by the religious body to which they belong, to stay away from their employment in order to mark the occasion. The academy may seek further advice from the parent’s religious body regarding the absence. If a religious body sets apart a single day for a religious observance and the parent applies for more than one day, the academy may only record one day as authorised on this basis; the rest of the request would be a considered as a leave of absence.
- Traveller pupils travelling for occupational purposes. This includes Roma, English and Welsh gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers, showmen (fairground people) and circus people, Bargees (occupational boat dwellers) and new Travellers. Absence may be authorised only when a Traveller family is known to be travelling for occupational purposes and has agreed this with the academy.
- Suspension. When a pupil has been suspended or excluded from the academy.
- Exceptional circumstances that has (have) been agreed by the Principal.
Unauthorised Absence
Unauthorised Absence is where the academy is not satisfied with the reason given for the absence, or where no reason has been provided. Unauthorised absences may result in Legal Sanctions, usually Penalty Notices or Prosecutions.
Unauthorised absence includes, but is not limited to:
- Absences that have not been explained within 5 days of occurrence
- Arriving at the academy after the register has closed (unless by prior authorisation)
- Family trips and excursions, including birthdays
- Family Holidays in term time
- Absences due to an illness of a family member.
Parents/carers should seek advice and support from the academy when experiencing barriers in securing regular attendance.
If the academy has cause for concern regarding the reason for a pupil’s absence, we may seek additional information or evidence from parents/carers regarding the absence, and make an outreach visit to the family home in order to verify the reason and offer additional support. If the reason cannot be verified and the academy has cause to believe the reason given for absence may not be genuine, parents/carers may be asked to provide satisfactory proof of the reason before the academy authorises the absence. If satisfactory proof is not provided, the academy may record the absence as unauthorised.
To read our full Academy attendance policy, please see our policies page.
