Attendance, Absence and Holidays

 

If your child is absent from school, please let the school office know the reason why, either in person or by telephoning 0191 2735466, or by giving your child a letter of explanation upon their return to school, as any absence must be authorised by school.

Aim for 95%+ attendance with no unauthorised absence for your child. We ask that you try to make medical/dental appointments outside of school hours. If this is unavoidable, please let the school office, and your child's teacher, know the day before.

You need a written pass to take your child outdoors during school hours. Failure to have this may result in prosecution.

Please avoid collecting children between 9.00am and 9.15am, and between 3.00pm and 3.15pm.

 

Holidays

Every day counts! Please think carefully before planning a family holiday or an extended trip overseas during term time. Research suggests that children who are taken out of school may never catch up on work they have missed. This may affect test results and can be particularly harmful if the child is studying for tests or exams. By law, you must ask in advance for permission for your child to miss school, however, we are not obliged to authorise this, and parents who take their child on holiday during term time may be issued with a penalty notice. Please arrange trips to coincide with school holidays wherever possible.