Absence From School

We encourage and reward good school attendance in a variety of ways. We know there is a close link between attendance and academic progress and work in partnership with families to ensure that we support and promote good attendance and time keeping. However, whilst we are keen to ensure children's attendance is good, we also follow the advice of the Local Authority and request that when children are unwell they remain at home. In the case of sickness and/or diarrhoea we request children remain at home for 48 hours after their last symptom.
 
If your child is going to be absent for any reason, it is essential that you contact the school by email admin@topsham.devon.sch.uk, telephone 01392 874498, letter or personal visit. If a child returns to school without an explanation for their absence, we will send home a standard form requesting the reason. Please ensure you notify the school office by 9am.

Click here to visit our Policies section to view our Attendance Policy

Holidays

As a result of legislation that came into force on September 1st 2013, absence requests can only be considered in exceptional circumstances. We are no longer able to authorise any holiday requests. Absence can be considered for other reasons which have to be ‘exceptional’ in nature. This is usually defined as once in a lifetime never to be repeated. No absence will be authorised for any pupil in September which is an important time for classes settling with new teachers and classmates or during time of National Assessment, usually May and June. 

S2 Absence Request Form

​Education Attendance Charter

As a school, we are committed to Devon County Council's ‘Education Attendance Charter’  This charter is not just for staff in Education and Social Care, it includes Police, Health, Community and Voluntary sector, local businesses and all Local Authority Staff. 

Click here for a copy of the Education Attendance Charter