Attendance

At Harefield, we know that excellent attendance is vital to the success of our students. 

As part of our Attendance Policy, we are required to inform you of our approach to exceptional leave. Click here to read more.

Harefield School: Absence Information

If a student is unable to attend school due to illness, parents should contact the school on the morning of absence, before 8:30am via this form. 

A specific reason must be given for the absence, the school may ask for medical evidence to be provided. 

It is an expectation that medical and dental appointments are taken out of school time. Missing lessons, even for medical and dental appointments, has a detrimental impact on student progress and achievement. The school recognises that it is not always possible to schedule appointments out of school time. On the rare occasion that a student must attend a medical appointment during school time, parents must notify the school in advance and provide evidence of the appointment.

Late arrivals/Early departures

If a student arrives late to school, they must sign in at reception before going to lessons.

Any students leaving before the end of the school day for any reason must sign out with our school attendance officer before they leave.

Students may only leave early if we have previously been advised by a parent by explaining the reasons.

Leave of absence during term time

Headteachers no longer have the discretion to allow time for a family holiday or to agree to extended leave for parents/carers to visit their country of origin during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Taking children out of school during term time means they would be losing valuable school time at the expense of their education. If your child is absent from school because of a holiday, which has not been agreed, then this will be classified as an unauthorised absence and may be subject to a fine by the Local Authority.