Attendance & Absence
By law, parents and carers of children registered at school are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly.
Children should attend school every day so that they make the most of the education available to them. We understand that there may be occasions when a child is unwell and is not able to come in to school, but this should be kept to a minimum.
BKCAT Attendance Policy 2025-26
Not to cause offense… but it’s part of our job. It’s part of the law. And it’s part of what makes a strong, caring school community.
If your child isn’t in school and you haven’t told us why…
We will phone every contact you’ve given us until we get an answer. We may email and/or text you before then coming to your home to check everyone is safe. This isn’t to pester you – it’s because a missing child with no explanation is a serious safeguarding concern.
If your child arrives with a visible injury – a bruise, a bump, a scratch…
Please tell us about it in person or by phone, we are professionally curious, we will ask them what happened. We may call you to find out more. If we have concerns, we may speak to our link social worker for advice. This isn’t about assuming the worst – it’s about making sure children are safe, every time.
If your child says something worrying – even in passing – about something they’ve seen, heard or experienced…
We will take it seriously. That might mean asking them more questions, contacting you, or even making a safeguarding referral. We know children don’t always have the full picture – but we are trained to follow up, just in case.
If your child’s attendance drops below 90%…
You’ll get a letter and possibly a call or meeting. Your child will be classed as a ‘persistent absentee’ – a term used nationally. This isn’t about blame – it’s because missing school often means missing learning, routines, friendships and support.
If your child regularly arrives late…
We’ll talk to you about it. A late start can mean a stressful morning for them, missed learning, and disrupted routines. Over time, it can really impact their confidence and progress.
If your child is being collected by someone new…
We’ll check they’re on the contact/collection list. If they’re not, we won’t release your child until we’ve confirmed it’s okay. This isn’t to embarrass you – it’s to protect your child from going with someone they shouldn’t.
If your child tells us they’re looking after siblings, cooking meals, or spending time with adults who are intoxicated or behaving unpredictably…
We will follow it up. These can be signs of young people taking on too much, or of unsafe situations. We won’t jump to conclusions, but we won’t ignore it either.
If we’re worried that your child is anxious, withdrawn or unusually emotional…
We will talk to them – and possibly to you. Sometimes it’s nothing. Sometimes it’s something. Either way, your child’s mental health matters as much as their physical safety.
If your child comes into school hungry, tired or in unwashed clothes…
We may offer support – breakfast, clean clothing, a chat, or a referral to services who can help. We know life gets tough sometimes. We’re not here to judge – we’re here to notice, care and respond.
If we hear your child talk about content they’ve seen online that worries us – violence, adult themes, extreme views…
We will have a conversation with them, and possibly with you too. Online safety is part of safeguarding, and many children are exposed to harmful material without fully understanding it.
If we ever feel your child is at risk of harm or if your child says they don’t feel safe at home, or that someone hurts or scares them…
We have a legal obligation to act – and that can include making a referral to Social Services. We will usually talk to you first, unless we believe that would put your child at further risk. That’s not a choice for us – it’s the law. We will always act in the best interests of your child.
If you’re having a tough time at home – illness, separation, financial hardship, bereavement…
We might gently check in. Not to be nosy – but because we know home life affects school life. If we can offer support, we will. Sometimes, we can help lighten the load just by knowing what’s going on.
We don’t do any of this to upset you, judge you or make life harder. We do it because we care and your child matters to us. We want to work with you to keep them safe, well, and ready to learn.
As a school, we take our responsibility to safeguard every child extremely seriously. That means there are times we may do things that seem overly cautious or surprising – but we want you to know it’s never personal, never about judging, and always rooted in our care for your child and our legal duty to keep them safe.
It is important that children develop good habits of attendance and punctuality. Absence and late arrival at school should not occur without good reason.
Children are expected to be in attendance for every session of school during the school year unless a valid reason for absence, in accordance with Statute, is offered, e.g. medical or bereavement.
Please ensure you contact the school by telephone on the first morning of absence and also ensure your child returns from absence with an explanatory note for our records. The school is obliged by law to follow up on any child who is absent from school without explanation or if the explanation for an absence in not adequate. If school is not informed of the reason for absence by 10:30am, and contact with parents has not been successful, a home visit will be made.
All dental and medical appointments should be avoided, if possible, during the school day. If a child needs to leave school early to visit an emergency dental appointment or a clinic, it is important that the school is informed and an appointment card shown to office staff. Children must be collected from school by an authorised adult.
You can find our Trust Attendance policy on the ‘Policies’ tab under ‘Key Information’.
Please see the links below for further information:
Children Missing Education – Information & Procedure
Parents and carers must avoid taking their children out of school during term-time.
The Headteacher cannot authorise holiday absences. Holidays should be taken during the school breaks and not during term-time. However, in exceptional circumstances only, permission may be given.
The Law
Amendments to the 2006 Education Act make clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term-time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
It is clear that parents and carers do not have any right to take a child out of school during term-time except in the exceptional circumstances. In most cases the Headteacher will refuse to authorise term-time leave, however, each case will be considered on its individual merits.
How we deal with requests for term-time absence
We have a strict policy about term-time holidays. Our policy is to refuse all applications for holidays during term-time. Children are at school for 190 days in the year which leaves 175 days for holidays and other trips.
How to apply for special leave during term-time
Please contact the school office for a request for absence form and return it to us with as much notice as possible, but at least two weeks in advance of the date of the proposed leave. You should expect to hear from us within 5 working days. Term-time holidays will NOT BE AUTHORISED unless there are exceptional circumstances and each case will be considered on its individual merits.
What are exceptional circumstances?
It is the decision of the Headteacher as to what might constitute exceptional circumstances and each request for term time leave will be considered on an individual basis.
Exceptional leave is NOT:
- Availability of cheap flights/holidays/accommodation
- Parent/carer work commitments
- Overlap with the beginning or end of term, half term.
Exceptional leave MAY be:
- Grandparent or other close relative is seriously ill – and you must leave in an emergency
- Significant trauma in the family recently and a holiday will benefit the child – this must be backed up by a doctor’s letter
- A one-off, never to be repeated occasion that can only happen at that time, e.g. close family wedding/funeral.
What if we decide to go anyway?
If the Headteacher has not authorised the leave, and your child is out of school for between half a day and 10 days then you may receive a fine. In extreme circumstances further penalties may be imposed by courts.
Please avoid taking your child out of school during term time, as it disrupts your child’s learning and you risk financial penalties.
If we authorise your special leave
If we do authorise a leave of absence under exceptional circumstances, you must understand the educational impact upon your child. Taking work with you on special leave is no substitute for classroom teaching.
If we do authorise your leave you will receive a copy of the signed form which confirms the dates when your child will be absent and the agreed date for return. It can only be signed only by the Headteacher. A copy will be kept in the file in the office for our records.
Our full attendance policy: Attendance Policy 2025-27. Where this page and the policy differ, the policy applies.