Types of Absence

Every half-day absence from school, by law, has to be classified as either authorised or unauthorised. This is why information about the cause of absence is always asked for.

Authorised Absences

These are mornings or afternoons away from school for a valid reason such as illness, emergency medical or dental appointments (routine appointments should always be made out of school hours) and emergencies. Proof of medical appointments may be asked for to be able to authorise the absence.

Unauthorised Absences

An absence is classified as Unauthorised if the reason was not recognised as acceptable. The Department for Education (DfE) and Local Education Authorities provide information for schools as to what is acceptable and what is not.

Examples of reasons that would not be accepted:

• A birthday
• A shopping trip
• Day trips
• Holidays – unless have been agreed as exceptional circumstances

Gosford Park Primary School Attendance Policy can be found here.

What to do if your child is absent from school

Contact the school office by 8:30am and leave a message on our Schoolgateway app or messages can be left on the answer phone. Remember to provide childs name, year group, class and a reason for the absence, including specific illness details.