Reporting an Absence

Absence Procedure

In the event that your child is unable to attend school, please inform the college EACH DAY of their absence, before 8:30am. You can report absences via the MCAS App:

Medical advice is clear, however, that children with a mild illness will often be well enough to attend – e.g. if they have a cough or cold, without a temperature. The NHS guidance Is my child too ill for College? - NHS (www.nhs.uk) is designed to support parents/carers in their decision-making about mild illness.  

Please note: If the college does not have a reason for absence, a text/email will be sent home.

If an explanation for an absence is not received, it will be recorded as unauthorised and an unexplained absence text message will be sent from the College or a telephone call will be made. A home visit may occur as a follow-up action.

Collecting your child during the school day

Should you need to collect your child during school hours, e.g. for a medical appointment (ensuring you've already submitted an advance absence notification via MCAS) – you will need to collect them from reception and sign them out. Whoever is collecting the student must be listed on the student profile and will need to bring ID – our receptionist will ask for this for safeguarding reasons.

Fixed Penalty Notices

If parents/carers choose to take their child out of school during term time without leave of absence being granted, then it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence on the school register. The College will also make a referral to the local authority for students who take an unauthorised leave of five days or more. Such a referral may lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued. Parents/Carers who fail to ensure their child’s regular attendance can be fined £80.00 (per parent, per child). If the payment is not made within 21 days, then this increases to £160.00

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support in working towards our attendance expectations.

For more information regarding attendance – please refer to the Attendance Policy on the website.