Attendance and reporting absence

Attendance and reporting absence

Every day of learning at Christ the Word Catholic School matters.

Absence due to illness

If your child is too ill to attend school you need to let the school know by phoning the school office before 9.00am if possible. You need to let us know the reason for the absence and how long your child will be absent from school. You are welcome to phone on a daily basis if your child is absent for more than one day.

If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance, then please speak to staff in school for advice and support.

Planned absence

Please let school know in advance if your child has a medical or dental appointment during school time.

It is important that parents and carers avoid taking their child out of school during term-time. There are 190 statutory school days in a year. This leaves 175 days (weekends and school holidays) available to use for holidays outside school time, which would not have a negative effect on a child’s education. Every day at school is important for all children.

A list of all term and holiday dates is shown below. Parents and carers need to ask for permission for planned absences, including holidays during term time, by completing an ‘absence request form’. This needs to be returned to school before any absence.

We encourage parents and carers to consider the negative message they give their children if they let them think it is acceptable to miss school.