Attendance Expectations at The Brookfield School

Pupils are expected to attend every day.  Any absences should be notified to the school Office or leave a message on the schools answer phone system option 2, on each morning of the absence by 9.00 am.  This will ensure that the absence is recorded as ‘authorised’ in the register. Absences will remain unauthorised if no legitimate explanation is received from parents/carers.

Regular attendance is essential for progress in all school years.  When the School becomes concerned that the child’s education is being affected by regular absence, the School’s Education Welfare Officer (EWO) will be informed. They may refer to Herefordshire Council who could consider legal proceedings. 

There are only three reasons for authorised absences which the school will require supportive evidence to enable us to consider authorising.:

• Personal illness
• Genuine family emergency or bereavement
• Medical/dental treatment that could not be arranged outside school hours - proof of appointment will be requested
   

The school will not authorise absences other than those in exceptional circumstances.

The following explanations will NOT usually be deemed legitimate:

• Looking after siblings
• Shopping Trip
• Unexceptional special occasions, e.g. birthdays
• Family Holidays
• Family Holidays where prior permission was not sought or was refused. 
  
   

How can you help your child to achieve every day?

• Send your child to school every day
• Ensure child is arrives punctually
• Ensure child know how important education is
• Encourage your child and show an interest
• Attend school open evenings and school events
• Avoid taking family holidays during term time
• Make sure your child gets a good night rest

Further Support...

Should you need advice or support regarding your child's attendance please ring 01423 265153 and ask to speak to Marian or Ashley or send them an email:

Marian Ellis - Attendance Officer (mellis@brookfield.hereford.sch.uk)

Ashley Read - Family Support Worker (aread@brookfield.hereford.sch.uk)

Is your child too ill for school?

We fully understand that there are times when children feel unwell and are not able to attend school. Sometimes it can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school when they're unwell. The following link can help parents and carers make these decisions.

Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

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There are also government guidelines for schools and nurseries about managing specific infectious. These say when children should be kept off school and when they shouldn't. If your child is well enough to go to school but has an infection that could be passed on, such as a cold sore or head lice, let their teacher know. 

Health protection in children and young people settings, including education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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Some examples are below:

Coughs and colds - It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or common cold. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes. Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues and to wash their hands regularly.

High temperature -  If your child has a high temperature, keep them off school until it goes away.

Chickenpox - If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over. This is usually about 5 days after the spots first appeared.

Hand, foot and mouth disease - If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease but seems well enough to go to school, there's no need to keep them off.

Holiday requests in Term Time

There is a common misconception that any pupil is allowed to take 10 days holiday per academic year in term time. This is not true. Parents are not entitled to remove children from school for holidays as of right.

The Department for Education expect us to discourage such practice as it can lead to problems for all concerned:

• Your child’s education suffers;
• Lessons and extra-curricular activities are missed;
• Continuity of project work is lost;
• There is often no opportunity for teachers to set additional work or to assist a child in catching up on their return from holiday;
• The class is generally disrupted; other pupils suffer as a result;
• You will be in breach of your legal obligation to send your child to school.

Government has brought in guidance tightening up the regulations related to pupils taking time off in term-time. These rules came into force on 1 September 2013. Head Teachers are no longer permitted to authorise absence for holidays taken during term time. They are permitted to grant leave only in very exceptional circumstances. If you think you have exceptional circumstances, which will not include family holidays, please talk to us without delay and before arrangements are entered into or money committed.

If exceptional circumstances are accepted, the Head Teacher will determine how much absence will be authorised.​ Unauthorised absence can lead to fixed-penalty notices being issued by the local authority. 

Admissions

All pupils at The Brookfield School have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names our school as the preferred setting. All applications, whether from in or out of county, must be made through Herefordshire Local Authority Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team,

Contact Details - Special Educational Needs Team, Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane Hereford HR4 0LE

Phone:01432 260000