As most of you will be aware, we are keen to ensure that the children attending Keyworth Primary are here every day (unless ill or have an ‘exceptional circumstance’) and arrive on time. This is because we know that they arrive well prepared to learn for the day and don’t miss out on sequences of work happening in their class. Alongside this, children don’t like to miss out on the social aspect of school life.

However, we do recognise that children are inevitably going to be ill from time to time and we appreciate you contacting the school office to inform us if this is the case. We also know that events happen in life, both positive and negative, and a child may then be off for a reason that is a nationally recognised ‘exceptional circumstance’.

We class exceptional circumstances as the following:

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 a terminal illness of a person close to the family.

4)      Out of school programmes such as music, arts or sport operating at a high standard or achievement

5)      Religious observance – The Education Act 1996 S444(3)(c) states ‘on any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which his/her parent belongs’.

6)      To attend a wedding, funeral or ‘special’ family event (up to a maximum of two days)

We CANNOT authorise a period of absence due to a term time holiday, unless there is an exceptional circumstance which MUST be agreed with the school. You can request to speak to Ms Garner, Mrs King or Mrs Holmes in such circumstances. This allows us to enter a code in the register stating that the child is absent for an authorised reason. Any unauthorised holidays often result in a penalty fine from the Local Authority.

Ms Garner can be contacted on her work mobile: 07561 858121

Mrs King or Mrs Holmes can be contacted via the school office (schooloffice@keyworth.notts.sch.uk).