It is vital that all children arrive at school on time. Lessons start promptly and it can be extremely unsettling for a child who arrives late, having missed the beginning of the lesson. It also causes disruption to the learning of others.

In line with national Safeguarding procedures, all children must be accounted for daily.  If your child will be absent for any reason, please ensure that you let us know either by email, admin@gilesinfants.herts.sch.uk, telephone 01438 359747 or using the Arbor in-App message facility.

Medical Appointments

Notice of visits to the doctor, dentist or clinic should be given in advance. For reasons of safety, no child will be allowed to leave the premises during school hours unless collected by a known adult.  Please try where possible to arrange visits outside school hours.  For details about our Attendance Policy please click on the link below at the bottom of this page and visit our Policies section.

Illness

If your child is absent due to illness, please contact the school to explain the reason.  A letter or email should also be written on your child’s return to school.

Children who are unwell should not be at school. If there has been an episode of vomiting or diarrhoea, children should stay at home until they have fully recovered. There must be a minimum of 48 hours with no episode of vomiting or diarrhoea before a child can return to school.

Holidays

Schools are closed for children’s benefit for 13 weeks every year.  Holidays should be taken during this time.  During term children must be at school.  Holidays taken during term time have a detrimental effect on your child’s learning and educational progress.  If you choose to take holidays during term time a request form must be completed prior to the holiday and a letter written to the head stating the reasons for the holiday. It should be noted that there is only a very limited number of truly exceptional circumstances under which the Headteacher may authorise absence.

Unauthorised absences appear on both the child’s and the school’s records. If a pupil has 10 sessions (equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period (these sessions do not have to be consecutive and can span different terms or years), County may levy a fine of £80 per parent, per child. If this fine is not paid within 21 days, it increases to £160 per parent, per child. Failure to pay may result in prosecution for the offense that your child has failed to attend school regularly.  

For more information, please read The Statutory Attendance Support Teams guide 'Helping Parents understand Penalty Notice Fines for School Attendance'