Attendance
At Doxey Academy we want every child to dream big and fly high so that they can achieve the best outcomes in their lives. In order for them to gain the ambition, experiences, knowledge and skills to do this then good attendance at school is essential. Research has shown that children with school attendance of over 95% are twice as likely to achieve 5 good passes in their GCSEs, this pattern of good attendance starts as soon as your child starts school.
We recognise that, from time to time, your child may be to unwell to attend school, if that is the case then you must inform the school office by telephone 01785450120 or email, office@doxeyprimary.co.uk by 9.30 on the first day that your child is ill. It is also important that you provide us with up to date contact information so that we can contact you should your child become unwell while they are in school.
If your child is unwell we will authorise the absence. If we do not have a reason why a child is absent from school the absence will not be authorised. If a child misses 5 or more days of school for unauthorised reasons then a fine of at least £60 will be considered.
Lateness
The gates to the playground open every day at 8.30, your child may have a bagel or piece of toast while they wait for the classroom doors to open at 8.45. The register is taken by 9.00, after this your child is considered to be late to school and they should be signed into school by an adult. If your child arrives after 9.20am (i.e. after the register closes) this will be marked in the register as an unauthorised absence and will therefore be liable to a fine.
Absence from school for reasons other than illness
Please make every effort to book medical and dental appointments outside of school hours, we realise that this is not always possible so if your child has an appointment in school time please inform the school office before they attend the appointment.
If your child will not be in school for any other reason then a leave of absence form should be completed, these are available from the school office. Reasons may include
A funeral
Religious observance
All requests for a leave of absence will be considered by the headteacher, Mrs Laura Lazenby, authorisation can only be made in exceptional circumstances which we consider to be an event which cannot be repeated. The fine for an unauthorised absence for a holiday is £80 per child, per parent, rising to £160 if not paid within 21 days.
When to keep my child at home
Coughs and colds
It’s fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or common cold. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes.
Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues and to wash their hands regularly.
High temperature
If your child has a high temperature, keep them off school until it goes away.
Chickenpox
If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over.
This is usually about 5 days after the spots first appeared.
Cold sores
There’s no need to keep your child off school if they have a cold sore.
Encourage them not to touch the blister or kiss anyone while they have the cold sore, or to share things like cups and towels.
Conjunctivitis
You don’t need to keep your child away from school if they have conjunctivitis.
Do get advice from your pharmacist. Encourage your child not to rub their eyes and to wash their hands regularly.
Ear infection
If your child has an ear infection and a high temperature or severe earache, keep them off school until they’re feeling better or their high temperature goes away.
Hand, foot and mouth disease
If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease but seems well enough to go to school, there’s no need to keep them off.
Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues straight away and to wash their hands regularly.
Head lice and nits
There’s no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice.
You can treat head lice and nits without seeing a GP.
Impetigo
If your child has impetigo, they’ll need treatment from a GP, often with antibiotics.
Keep them off school until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or for 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment.
Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and not to share things like towels and cups with other children at school.
Measles
If your child has measles, they’ll need to see a GP. Call the GP surgery before you go in, as measles can spread to others easily.
Keep your child off school for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears.
They should also avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.
Ringworm
If your child has ringworm, see your pharmacist unless it’s on their scalp, in which case you should see a GP.
It’s fine for your child to go to school once they have started treatment.
Scarlet fever
If your child has scarlet fever, they’ll need treatment with antibiotics from a GP. Otherwise they’ll be infectious for 2 to 3 weeks.
Your child can go back to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
Slapped cheek syndrome
You don’t need to keep your child off school if they have slapped cheek syndrome because, once the rash appears, they’re no longer infectious.
But let the school or teacher know if you think your child has slapped cheek syndrome.
Sore throat
You can still send your child to school if they have a sore throat. But if they also have a high temperature, they should stay at home until it goes away.
A sore throat and a high temperature can be symptoms of tonsillitis.
Threadworms
You don’t need to keep your child off school if they have threadworms.
Speak to your pharmacist, who can recommend a treatment.
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days (48 hours).
