All pupils are encouraged to attend school regularly and to arrive on time. We work closely with families to support this and expect a shared commitment from everyone to maintain excellent attendance.

At Warren School, we believe that strong attendance is best achieved through a partnership between school and home. We are committed to supporting families wherever possible and value the role that parents and carers play in creating a positive and consistent school experience for their children.

Why is regular school attendance important?

Regular attendance enables pupils to:

• Fully access the additional support and specialist provision available within a SEN setting
• Develop important social skills and build positive relationships within a safe and supportive environment
• Gain confidence, independence and essential life skills such as teamwork and communication
• Prepare effectively for the next stage of their education and future life

Parents' and Carers' Responsibilities

Parents and carers are expected to:

• Ensure their child attends school regularly and punctually, unless prevented by illness or a medical appointment
• Contact the school on the first morning of any absence
• Inform the school in advance of any medical appointments during the school day
• Follow the correct procedure when requesting term-time absence, noting that such requests are not automatically approved and should only be made in exceptional circumstances

How do I report an absence?

If your child is unable to attend due to illness, please contact the school on the first day of absence by calling the main Warren School number: 01502 561893.

You can report an absence by selecting option 1 on the pupil absence line. This service is available even when the school is closed. Please ensure that all absences are reported before the start of the school day, by 8:45am.

If we have not received notification of an absence, the school will attempt to contact you by 10:00am. Where we are unable to make contact, we will try the emergency numbers you have provided. Please ensure that these details are kept up to date. If we are still unable to reach anyone, a home visit may be carried out.

Due to the vulnerability of some of our pupils, it is important that illnesses are managed carefully. Following sickness or diarrhoea, pupils must remain at home for 48 hours after the last episode.

Can holidays be taken during term time?

The Trust has a legal responsibility to apply national attendance regulations consistently. As a result, it is unlikely that leave will be granted for family holidays during term time.

We understand that this can be challenging, and all requests for exceptional leave will be considered with care and sensitivity. However, approval will only be given where the request meets Department for Education criteria and is supported by appropriate evidence. Unfortunately, we cannot approve all requests.

How do I request a leave of absence?

All requests for leave must be made in writing to the Academy Head using the school’s leave request form. Forms should be submitted to the school office in advance of the absence.

What support is available?

If you are experiencing difficulties with your child’s attendance, please contact the school. We are committed to supporting families and will work with you to help improve attendance.

Our Attendance Officer is available to offer advice, guidance and practical support. Please contact the school office to arrange a telephone call or a face-to-face meeting.

Useful information

Department for Education guidance on mild illness and school attendance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-school-leaders-on-mild-illness-and-school-attendance/letter-to-school-leaders-on-mild-illness-and-school-attendance

Early Help provides support to families when challenges first arise:
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