Alyn

[Guest]

A child in my care was refused by a teacher to leave school to attend medical appointment.

[MIKE770]

What absences can be authorised?

The Department for Education (DfE) states that you can only allow your child to miss school if they are ill, or if you have advance permission from the headteacher.

The following types of absence may be marked as authorised:

• Leave of absence authorised by the headteacher*(such as time off due to*bereavement).
• Holidays authorised by the headteacher, who must specify how many days are approved. These should only be approved in exceptional circumstances.
• Illness:*you must notify your child’s school on the morning of their first day of absence.
• Medical or dental appointments, although you should try to arrange these outside school hours if possible.
• Religious observance.
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller absence*when the family is travelling for occupational purposes.
• Offsite educational activities:*this could include music, dance or drama exams, or participation in a sporting event. Approval is at the school’s discretion.