Absence and Attendance
At Holbrook School for Autism we aim to ensure that all students attend school regularly and on time to enable them to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available. Regular, punctual attendance is valued and positively encouraged for all our students.
Attending school regularly and on time has a positive impact on learning, progress and therefore the best life chances for students. Research shows that attendance and punctuality are important factors in school success. We expect our students to have at least 90% attendance.
Where attendance has deteriorated rapidly, there are concerning patterns of absence, a number of unauthorised absences, or parents have not responded to concerns raised a referral may be made straight to the safeguarding DSLs (Designated Safeguarding Lead).
You can view the current attendance of your child on the Arbor Parent Portal App.
Attendance Policy
Reporting Absence
If your child is absent from school, parents/carers must notify the school as soon as possible. This can be done by telephoning the school office on 01332 880208 selecting the reporting absence option. The reason for absence must be stated so the correct code on the register can be recorded.
Absence reporting via taxi drivers/escorts or other messaging platforms such as Seesaw or Arbor is not acceptable and the school office will still telephone if you have not reported the absence in the correct way.
It is the responsibility of parents/carers to notify their transport provider of any absences or changes in school attendance. This includes exceptional circumstances such as class or school closures due to weather etc.
Sickness
If your child becomes ill during the school day, it is the responsibility of the parent/carer to collect your child as soon as possible, not the transport provider.
If your child has sickness and/or diarrhea, they must stay off school for 48 hours after their last symptom
Holbrook School for Autism takes guidance from the Department of Health for infection control in schools. Please click on the link below to access a copy of the guidance.
Health protection in children and young people settings, including education
Is my child too ill for school?
As a family, you should endeavour to ensure your child arrives promptly at school each morning. When your child is ill, you will inform the school prior to 8.30am via the school absence line, stating the reason for and expected length of absence. If they have an appointment, you will inform the school ASAP and provide evidence as appropriate.
If your child takes ill throughout the course of the school day, requires medical treatment or in the event of an unexpected school closure, you will arrange to collect your child promptly. Due to our school catering for a range of neurodiverse children and young people the below identified illnesses or situations may result in school requiring your child to go home and recover before they can re-access the school environment.
In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 we go beyond the legal minimum and expect at least two emergency contacts to be kept on file in the event of any of these situations occurring, this is to ensure that we have additional options to make contact with a responsible adult when a child missing education is also identified as a welfare and/or safeguarding concern.
NHS Guidance – Is my child too ill for school? – NHS
Government Guidance – Children and young people settings: tools and resources – GOV.UK
Medical Appointments
We request that any routine appointments are made outside of school hours. If this is not possible or it is a hospital appointment, please provide a copy of the appointment letter or card to the school office so we can approve the absence.
All attendance data can be accessed through the Arbor parent portal and this will allow up to date information to be shared between home and school regarding attendances figures.
Leave of Absence
As a school we discourage parents from taking their children out of school for holidays in term time. In accordance with pupil registration regulations, headteachers must not grant approval for any leave of absence during term time, including holidays, unless there are exceptional circumstances. However, leave can be authorised, in exceptional circumstances, by completing the leave of absence request form and submitting it to the school office. For further information, please refer to the Derbyshire County Council website for further information.