The Flitch Green Academy recognises that positive behaviour and good attendance are essential in order for pupils to get the most of their school experience, including their attainment, wellbeing and wider life chances.
The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude, and any special educational need they may have. It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education either by attendance at a school or by education otherwise than at a school.
Where parents decide to have their child registered at school, they have an additional legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly, on time. This means their child must attend every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.

Unauthorised absence includes, (however this list is not exhaustive):
● parents/carers keeping children off school unnecessarily e.g. because they had a late night or for non-infectious illness or injury that would not affect their ability to learn;
● absences which have never been properly explained;
● children who arrive at school after the close of registration are marked using a ‘U’. This indicates that they are in school for safeguarding purposes, however is counted as an absence for the session;
● shopping trips;
● looking after other children or children accompanying siblings or parents to medical appointments;
● their own or family birthdays;
● holidays taken during term time, not deemed ‘for exceptional purposes’ by the headteacher, including any arranged by other family members or friends;
● day trips;
● other leave of absence in term time which has not been agreed. 

ILLNESS Absence

If your child is unwell and unable to attend the academy please ensure you leave a message on the absence line by 9am (01371 822330).

If your child is unwell with a contagious illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, heavy cough, confirmed COVID‑19 where current public health advice requires isolation, or any illness where a GP has advised they should not attend school) please keep them at home and follow NHS or GP guidance. Children should not return until they are well enough to take part in all activities and have been free of vomiting or diarrhoea for 48 hours. For other minor illnesses such as coughs and colds, pupils should ordinarily attend school.  If you are unsure whether your child should attend, contact the school office for advice.

Administering medicines at school

We will only give medication in school where it is necessary for your child to take it during the school day. Short‑term medication (for example a prescribed antibiotic) must be supplied in the original pharmacy/container with the child’s name and dosage instructions, together with a completed medicines consent form. This form is attached below or is available from the school office. Long‑term or ongoing conditions (asthma, allergies, diabetes, epilepsy etc.) must be supported by a healthcare plan agreed between parents/carers, the school and relevant health professionals. Staff will administer emergency medication (for example inhalers, epi‑pens) in line with the healthcare plan; where special training is required we ensure appropriately trained staff are available. We keep written records of all medicines given and of any refusals. If a child refuses medication we will contact parents/carers immediately.

HOLIDAY Absence

It is a rule of this school that a leave of absence shall not be granted in term time unless there are reasons considered to be exceptional by the headteacher, irrespective of the child’s overall attendance. Only the headteacher or his/her designate (not the local authority) may authorise such a request and all applications for a leave of absence must be made in writing, in advance, on the prescribed form which is attached below or can be provided by the school office on request.  At Flitch Green Academy 'exceptional circumstances' will be interpreted as being of unique and significant emotional, educational or spiritual value to the child which outweighs the loss of teaching time (as determined by the headteacher). The fundamental principles for defining ‘exceptional’ are events that are “rare, significant, unavoidable and short”. By 'unavoidable' we mean an event that could not reasonably be scheduled at another time, outside of school term time, regardless of who has planned or paid for the holiday or absence (including grandparents or other family or friends).