Absences
If your child is going to be absent:
There may be times that your child cannot come into school. In these instances parents/carers are required to report their child’s absence by 08.30am on each and every day of absence. The message must clearly state the students full name, tutor group and clear details why your child is absent.
By email - attendance@wdf.school
By text - 07860 095562
By phone - 01245 326326 - press 1 for the absence line answer phone
Stating that a child is “sick, unwell or poorly” is not accepted as we need the full reason to provide to the local authority. We will require medical evidence to justify repeated absences.
Please note we DO NOT have a 48 hour policy for sickness.
Any absence from school other than medical appointments or daily illness requires parents to complete and return to the Attendance Department a term time leave of absence form. The form can be downloaded here or collected from reception. The form must be completed and returned to school at least 10 working days prior to the start of the request. Parents will then be notified by letter as to whether their request has been authorised.
Should the request be unauthorised then penalty notice fines are issued to each parent who allows their child to be absent without authorisation from school. The threshold for absence is 10 sessions (equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period. These sessions do not have to be consecutive and can be made up of any unauthorised absence. The 10 school week period can span different terms or school years.
The first time a penalty notice is issued for unauthorised absence the fine amount will be £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days. If this is not paid within 21 days then the fine will increase to £160 per parent, per child payable between the 22nd and 28th day. If this is not paid then the matter is directed to the Magistrates Court.
If a second penalty notice offence is issued for unauthorised absence a reduced rate is not available and the amount payable is £160 per parent, per child - payable within 28 days.
The third offence and any further offences (within 3 years) a penalty notice will not be issued and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrate's court by Essex County Council. Prosecution can result in criminal records and fines of up to £2,500.
