Bristol's school attendance websiteYou should try to send your child to school every day possible unless there is an unavoidable reason.
Unavoidable absences?
- Illness – let the school know as soon as possible on the first day your child is ill.
- Medical Appointments – try to arrange these out of school hours. If this is not possible give the school advance warning.
- Bereavements – let your school know if someone your child is close to dies. They will want to make sure staff and pupils act sensitively with your child on their return.
- Exclusions – if your child has seriously misbehaved and the headteacher issues a letter saying they must be excluded, either permanently or for a set number of days (up to 45). If the exclusion is permanent, your child should be offered alternative education.
- Religious festivals – ask your school in advance for time off for religious festivals.
Avoidable Absences
- Holidays – You should try to take holidays in school holidays, Bristol City Council runs a holiday discount scheme, you will find a link to more information under and main parents section
- Birthdays – Depriving your child of the chance to celebrate their birthday with their classmates is not a treat.
- Shopping – This is not an acceptable excuse for your child not to attend school.
- Truancy – Parents can still be fined or prosecuted even if they did not know their child was off school.