Absences
At Poulner Infant School and Nursery, we understand that there will be times when your child's absence is unavoidable, such as if they are unwell or have an urgent medical appointment.
If your child is unable to attend school you must contact the school office before 9 am by telephone, email or app.
If we haven't heard from you on the first day of absence we will call you. If we are unable to reach you we will contact the next contact listed on your child's emergency contacts list until someone answers. This is to ensure the safety and safeguarding of your child.
Please advise us of any absences for medical appointments. We ask that you endeavour to make such appointments outside of school hours if possible.
If we do not have a valid reason for your child's absence this will be recorded as unauthorised.
Holidays and Planned Absences
School Holidays dates are published well in advance and we encourage parents and carers to check these dates before booking holidays to ensure that these fall within the school holiday dates.
Any holidays taken in term time cannot be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances.
For all holidays and planned absences during term time a
Leave of Absence Form must be submitted to the Head Teacher in advance. The Head Teacher will decide on an individual basis whether or not to authorise the absence.
In Hampshire, a school attendance Penalty Notice is a fine issued to parents when a child accumulates 10 or more half-day sessions (5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a 10-school-week period. Fine is £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days.
Non payment of the fine may result in a court summons.
If a second penalty notice is issued within a rolling three year period the fine increases to £160 per parent, per child. For third school attendance offence within a rolling 3-year period an Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the local authority will instead directly consider legal prosecution.
Hampshire CC - Attendance Advice for Parents/Carers
