Absence

Sickness Absence


On the rare occasion that your child might be ill, please contact school as early as possible by emailing allattendance@kksa.co.uk to advise us of your child’s absence and the reason for it. You will receive an acknowledgement of your email. If you prefer to call, please do so before 8.30 am. The school has an answerphone service enabling you to leave a message by dialling Extension 204. Please leave your name, the student’s full name, their form and a clear reason for their absence.  Please note that if we have not received either an email or a
telephone notification of your child’s absence by 9.30 am, you will receive an absence alert email via Edulink.

If the absence is more than two days, please keep our Attendance Administrator updated by email or telephone on an on-going basis. 

Please note parents and carers have a legal responsibility to inform school of the absence of their child.

Appointments

We ask that parents/carers endeavour to keep health appointments out of school hours whenever possible. Students will then need to sign out or prior to their appointment.  Students must sign out on leaving and sign back in again on their return to school.

Leave of Absence Requests

Please note that the Headteacher is expected to refuse absence requests, in accordance with national guidelines, apart from exceptional circumstances. At Kirkbie Kendal School, we will continue to consider all applications for leave of absence individually. Examples of exceptional circumstances that would be considered include:

  • Serious illness of a close family member.
  • Funerals.
  • Forces personnel on leave from a foreign posting.
  • Representation in national or county sports or performing arts events, or County Show participation or similar.
  • Parent/carer inflexible work commitments.
  • Other exceptional family circumstances.

Circumstances that are not deemed exceptional include:

  • Repeated (annual) requests for leave of absence.
  • Cheaper holidays in England and abroad.
  • Visiting relatives in non-exceptional circumstances.
  • Family day trips (to exhibitions, theatre, agricultural shows etc).
  • Visiting family/friends who have different holidays.
  • Skiing or family holidays.

When making an application for leave of absence during term time parents/carers will need to cite the exceptional circumstances on the school form submitted. Any requests must use the correct form, available to download below or directly from our Attendance Administrator.

In the event that parents withdraw their children from school during term time, Governors reserve the right to request a Fixed Penalty Notice, issued by Cumbria County Council.