Reporting Absence

We know that from time to time children will be off school. Hillmorton Primary School has a legal obligation to ensure that all children on roll must receive a 'mark' for attendance or non-attendance. Within the DfE statutory guidance for attendance (WTTISA), there are multi registration marks that must be followed. This means that when a child is off school, we have a legal obligation to ensure that the correct code is used to reflect the absence.

Below is the process for reporting absence and how the school will respond:

1. Please ensure that you contact the school, preferably by phone on 01788 544309, before 9:00am. Registration closes at 9:30am.
2. A reason must be provided for your child’s absence. Please note that “unwell” will NOT be accepted as a reason. If a parent/carer does not provide a suitable reason, the admin team will contact you. If a suitable reason cannot be provided, the child’s absence will be marked as unauthorised.
3. If a suitable reason is given, the appropriate code will be used on the child’s registration record. Please note that absences for appointments cannot be authorised without evidence, e.g., appointment confirmation.
4. If the school has not received communication by 10:00am, contact will be made to establish your child’s whereabouts. At this point, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised until a reason is confirmed.
5. If no contact is received, the school will continue to attempt to establish your child’s whereabouts via text, email, and phone calls.
6. If there is no contact for three consecutive days, a home visit will be carried out on the third day by a member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Attendance Support Team. Unexplained absences may also result in discussions with Family Connect.
7. If a parent/carer does not inform the school by 12:00pm, the child will receive an unauthorised mark in the register. Please note that this mark cannot be backdated or amended after 12.00pm. 
8. It may be appropriate for a Designated Safeguarding Lead to speak to your child upon their return to school to confirm their whereabouts and ensure they are safe and well.
9. For families with an allocated Social Worker or classified as vulnerable, a member of the Attendance Support Team (or relevant staff) will contact the appropriate professionals.
10. If there is a concern of immediate safeguarding risk, a home visit will be conducted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
11. Please note that any ongoing absences must be reported each day. If you have concerns, please contact a member of the Attendance Support Team.