What is an 'unauthorised absence'?

[Mercy]

Have just received dd's school report (she's in Reception) and at the end it refers to attendance levels (not good tbh) and one unauthorised absence, and I have no idea what this is.

Should I ask for it to checked again? How important are attendance levels at this stage?

Do you have the printout with the calender dates on?

An unauthorised absence could simply be a day she has had off sick and you have forgotten to send in a note.

No, nothing like that.

they may have lost the note you sent. I received a rather stern letter last week saying that ds had an two unauthorised absences (when he was ill) and I needed to explain, but I did send a note so I assumed they had misplaced it.

I've never been asked to write a single note and she's had loads of time off sick!

We did go on holiday for a week just after she turned 5 though - I wonder if they've lost the form?

When did she turn five?

My DS2 has been in Reception class since last September. His 5th birthday was 10/6 so he didn't go onto the official school roll until the Easter term. Only absences after then have required a note.

She was 5 the day before Summer term started! She's been ill since then but I still haven't been asked for a note.

I was just concerned that her poor attendance record (god knows how many colds, throat infections etc) coupled with this 'unauthorised absence' didn't look too good. I have no idea how seriously these things are taken.

Did you ring the school on the days she was ill? At our school, unauthorised absences include days off sick when the parent has not phoned in.

If my dses are ill on Monday I have to call before 9.30. If they're still ill on Tuesday I have to call again, etc. But if they had, say chickenpox or something that's likely to keep them off for a few days, I can call in on Monday and say that they'll probably be back next week, and that's us covered. Hope this makes sense.

i got one of these too, you have to call the school, giving a letter isn't enough now!

Thanks everyone, I'll speak to the teacher tomorrow and get her to clarify the situation.

The office staff are not exactly helful tbh.

Absences from pupils aged 5 at the start of the academic year (and not during) are taken into account.

Absences from pupils aged 5 at the start of the academic year (and not during) are taken into account.