Attendance

Attendance at TGGS:

Is my child too ill for school?

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school when they’re unwell, please see the NHS guidance: Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Please see the Government guidance around children’s mental health and attendance at school here: Mental health issues affecting a pupil's attendance: guidance for schools - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Unplanned absence 

The student’s parent/carer must notify the school every day of any unplanned absence by 8.30am or as soon as practically possible. Parents should use Studybugs to inform the school of absence.

For students in Y7-11, they may also use the absence line: 01803 653 750. For 6^th Form students, they may also use the absence line: 01803 653 761.

We will mark absence due to illness as authorised unless the school has a genuine concern about the authenticity of the illness.

If the authenticity of the illness is in doubt, the school may ask the student’s parent/carer to provide medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence. We will not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily.

If the school is not satisfied about the authenticity of the illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents/carers will be notified of this in advance.

Planned absence 

Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised as long as the student’s parent/carer notifies the school 48 hours in advance of the appointment.

Parents/carers should use the dedicated email address: attendance@tggsacademy.org or contact the Attendance Officer or child’s Head of Year to inform them of any planned absence.

However, we encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the student should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary, e.g. at the beginning or end of the school day.

The student’s parent/carer must also apply for other types of term-time absence as far in advance as possible of the requested absence. Go to section 5 to find out which term-time absences the school can authorise. 

Lateness and punctuality 

A student who arrives late:

•          Before the register has closed will be marked as late, using the appropriate code
•          After the register has closed will be marked as absent, using the appropriate code
•          Will receive a late warning on ClassCharts which will alert HoY to persistent lateness.

Approval for term-time absence 

The headteacher will only grant a leave of absence to students during term time if they consider there to be 'exceptional circumstances'. A leave of absence is granted at the headteacher’s discretion. 

Exceptional circumstances could include:

1. Service personnel returning from a tour of duty abroad where it is evidenced the individual will not be in receipt of any leave in the near future that coincides with school holidays.
2. Where an absence from school is recommended by a health professional as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue. 
3. The death or terminal illness of a person close to the family.
4. To attend a wedding or funeral of a person close to the family.
5. Participating in sporting events representing a club, region or nation.

If a request meets the above exceptional circumstances but falls within the following times, the Headteacher must be convinced that absence from school is the only option:

1. The first half term of any academic year (applies to all students) 
2. Year nine options time (for students in year nine) 
3. At any time during years 10 to 13 (for all students in these year groups) 
4. At any time specified by the school (this will be communicated to parents).

If requesting approval for term time absence please complete this form: Absence Request Form and return via email to attendance@tggsacademy.org.

Full TGGS Attendance policy

Torbay Council Website: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/attendance/

Government Website: https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence