We ask you, if at all possible, to arrange routine dental and medical appointments outside school hours. We recognise that this is not always possible and that emergency visits are sometimes necessary. We also ask you to arrange family holiday dates to coincide with school holidays (see Governors’ Attendance Policy available on the school’s website). In accordance with the Attendance Policy, the Headteacher will only authorise for key stage 3 students to take one holiday that is pre-booked for unavoidable and exceptional reasons. This is up to a maximum of 10 days per girl and can only happen once during Key Stage 3 (years 7, 8 and 9). Holiday leave cannot be authorised for Key Stage 4 (years 10 & 11) and Key Stage 5 (years 12 & 13) students. In view of the pressure on places at the school, the Governors reserve the right in cases of lengthy unauthorised absence to remove the pupil's name from the school roll. You would then have to re-apply for a place on your return and there is no guarantee that a space will be available.
When you know in advance that your daughter will have to miss school for any reason e.g. for an operation, we ask you to inform us in writing beforehand. It also helps if we have an indication of likely the length of absence.
We have to keep a careful check on our pupils' whereabouts and girls who have to go out or arrive during the school day are required to sign the book in the Reception Office.
If your daughter is absent from school due to illness, we ask you to inform us by telephone or in writing as soon as possible. Unexplained absences will be followed up by the Attendance Officer or the Education Welfare Officer.
Requests for leave of absence should be addressed to the Headteacher. We give sympathetic consideration in cases such as family funerals, or for examinations which have to be taken at fixed times. Whilst not wishing to be unreasonable, we do seek to keep absence to a minimum since casual attendance not only affects pupils' work but is also poor training for life after school. It is important that girls do not miss lessons, except when it is unavoidable. We do not allow girls to take days off for trips to events such as Wimbledon or for "fun" days out. The Governors' Policy on Pupil Attendance states clearly that girls will not be allowed to add extra days to weekends or school holidays. Requests for absence to participate in theatrical productions or modelling assignments will be considered on an individual basis. (In such cases reference will be made to the student’s most recent report)