Absence Procedure

The following procedure is based on concerns we all share about pupil safety. It is in the interests of everyone that you follow these procedures on every occasion that your child is absent from school.

Please telephone the school office on the first day of your child’s absence from school between 8.15 a.m. and 10 a.m. to briefly explain their absence. If we do not receive an explanation we will inform you of your child’s absence.
Please, on their return to school, write a brief letter of explanation regarding their absence to
confirm the information we received by telephone.

PLEASE NOTE:
Do everything you can to arrange family holidays during school holidays. On the rare occasions when it is unavoidable then written permission from the Headteacher must be obtained in advance.

The law states that the school must give permission for your child to be absent.
If your child arrives at school after 10 a.m. they are deemed to be absent for the morning session.

Attendance and Punctuality.

Registration
You are required by law to register before the beginning of both morning and afternoon school. This is between 08.50 and 08.55 a.m. and 13.55 and 14.10 p.m. Registers are then officially closed and sent to the school office.

Lateness
If you arrive at school after the register has been closed, you must sign in at the school office, giving your time of arrival and the reason why you are late.

PUNCTUALITY IS AN EXPECTATION OF BUNGAY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Authorised Absence
When you are absent, the school must be informed immediately, either by phone, letter or by a note in your log book. If the reason is acceptable, for example, illness or urgent medical treatment you will be given an authorised absence mark in the register. Although specialist hospital or clinic visits usually take place in the day it would be helpful if routine dental or medical appointments could be arranged outside school hours.

Unauthorised Absence (Truancy)
If you are away from school without an explanation from your parents, or if the reason given is unacceptable, you will be given an unauthorised absence mark in the register. This is known as truancy.