'Attendance is Everyone's Business'

School attendance is crucial for your child’s achievement, development, and even their wellbeing. School can also support your child with careers options and therapeutic interventions, but we cannot do this without their engagement. Brunel School is here to support you and your child as much as possible and we very much welcome you to speak with us about any concerns or struggles that you or your child have with regards to their absence. We would be delighted to meet with you, or have a telephone conversation, to address these concerns and discuss a plan for reintegrating your child back into school. Whatever the reason for your child’s persistent absence, we want to support you to break down these barriers and enable your child to receive the education they deserve.

Please notify us if your child is going to be absent

When you do not notify the school of a reason for your child’s absence, we must follow our comprehensive safeguarding and attendance procedures, which includes contacting the child’s guardian(s) by method of call and text. Should we have no response, we record an unauthorised absence, and in situations where we have particular concerns about a child’s welfare, we may carry out welfare visits, and even contact the police if necessary. Please remember to inform the school of your child’s absence on a daily basis. You can call us on 01803 665522 or email admin@brunelschool.org.

We have an obligation to report your child’s attendance to the Local Authority and Department for Education (DfE). Where your child has built up more than ten sessions of unauthorised absence during a six-month period, a referral for legal action may be made. This may result in you receiving a fine, or in more serious cases, a court summons. 

Please see the attachment below called '24 - 25 Warning Letter Updated August 24' for the latest attendance letter from the Local Authority and changes to penalties.

Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Who can I speak to?

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's absence, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Assistant Head, Emily Johnston.

Further guidance:

Working together to safeguard children - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What to do if you're worried a child is being abused. Advice for practitioners.

Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)