Too ill for school?

• Read your school’s Attendance Policy (e.g. about parental responsibilities for attendance, reporting absences, working in partnership with your child’s school).
• If making appointments (e.g. medical or dental), make these outside of school hours to avoid your child missing learning/falling behind with their schoolwork.
• If unwell, discuss the situation with your child’s school, as this will make it clear whether to keep your child off from school.
• If agreed to keep your child off, update your school about the situation, especially if the absence is likely to be longer than expected.
• If your child’s illness is longer than expected, seek medical attention (e.g. from your GP) – update your school about the situation.
• Providing medical information helps schools understand the nature of the illness, and whether or not to authorise the absence.
• If absent, understand what learning has been missed, work with your school to ensure your child catches up with their schoolwork.

The contents and maintenance of the school attendance register is governed by the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  These regulations set out if a pupil is unable to attend school by reason of sickness. If genuinely sick, their absence is likely to be treated as authorised.

If the authenticity of the illness is in doubt, schools can request parents provide medical information to them about the child’s absence. Information should:

• Be obtained from a suitable medical professional.
• Be in relation to the child in question.
• Be current.
• Provide a description of the illness.
• State the illness warrants a leave of absence.
• Indicate how long the leave of absence should be.

Providing medical information does not give automatic authorisation for pupil/student absence. Only the Head Teacher can authorise an absence (or their designated person). The school may not authorise the absence if:

• they doubt reasons provided
• have not established a reason for the absence
• the child is frequently absent from school

Unauthorised absence is a where a pupil’s absence has not been authorised by the school – legal action can be instituted regarding unauthorised absences.

Section 175 Education Act 2002, safeguarding duty to investigate unexplained pupil absence

If schools have not heard from parents or they have been unable to contact parents, schools have a duty to investigate unexplained absences. Depending on the circumstances, schools may need to refer the matter to social services and/or the police (i.e. in the interests of children’s welfare and safeguarding).

Some children with a disability or health condition may have lengthy or repeated periods off from school e.g. due to surgery, treatment, or because of an impaired immune system.  Mental health conditions may also be a reason for lengthy and recurrent absences.  If your child has one or several of these health needs it is most likely that your school is aware of their specific health needs and are supporting these e.g. through an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.  For information about support for children with medical conditions see below.