Absences
It is very important that in cases of absence, parents notify the school.
In the interest of your child’s safety, we request a telephone call or email before the start of the school day. After this time we will contact you to ascertain the reason for non-attendance. Oral messages from children cannot be accepted.
To report sickness or absence from school please leave a message on the schools answer phone; infant school 01932 873652, junior school 01932 872323 or email; infant@ottershawcofeschools.surrey.sch.uk or junior@ottershawcofeschools.surrey.sch.uk If your message is urgent, please speak with the school offices.
We are required to document all absences from school and the reasons for them. Until we receive confirmation of absences from parents, any absence must be recorded as unauthorised.
We would ask parents to arrange any treatments or appointments outside school hours whenever possible, but require written or telephone communication should this not be the case. Children should be collected from and returned to the school office where you will be required to sign children out and back in, on return.
Lateness
We believe by encouraging punctuality when children start school it creates a positive attitude towards time keeping for their futures. Should your child be late for school, they must be brought to the school office where parents will be asked to sign the "late book". The first few minutes of the school day are often used for learning activities, if children miss this short but vital session, their learning for the day may be affected. Late arrivals are disruptive to the whole class and are often embarrassing for your child.
If you know you are going to be late for any reason we ask you to telephone the school office.
Holidays
There is no entitlement to time off in term time and parents should not expect leave of absence for the purpose of a holiday to be granted as of right. Leave of absence is only allowed in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the headteacher and governing body. A Leave of Absence form must be completed and submitted for authorisation prior to any time taken. Forms may be obtained from the school office.
Please refer to our Attendance Policy for further information.