Report an absence
Email: absence@johnmason.school (preferred option)
Phone: 01235 524664

Please contact us as soon as possible and before 8:00am. Include your child’s full name, year group and tutor group, the reason for absence, and when you expect them to return. If you are leaving a voicemail, please repeat your child’s details clearly.

Why attendance matters
Strong attendance underpins learning, wellbeing, and safeguarding. Students make the most progress when they attend every day, arrive on time and are ready to learn. Patterns of absence can develop quickly, so we act early to understand barriers and provide support.

Our approach
We take a support first approach. If we notice a concern, we will contact you to understand what is happening and agree practical next steps. This may include check ins with a trusted adult, adjustments to routines, support for anxiety or reintegration planning after a period of absence.

When your child is unwell
Please keep your child at home if they are too unwell to attend school. If you are unsure, contact us and we can advise on next steps. Where symptoms are improving, we encourage a return to school as soon as it is appropriate (this could be later in the day) so that learning is not missed.

Medical and other appointments
Where possible, please book appointments outside the school day. If an appointment must take place during school hours, we expect students to attend school before and or after the appointment to minimise lost learning. Please provide evidence of the appointment if requested.

Unauthorised absence and term time holidays
Absence must be authorised by the school. Holidays should be taken during school holidays. Term time leave is not normally authorised and may be recorded as unauthorised absence. Unauthorised absence may lead to further action in line with local authority guidance.

How we support improvements in attendance
We monitor attendance and punctuality carefully and contact families early when we see a pattern developing. You can expect timely communication, clear next steps and proportionate support. When concerns persist, we may invite you to a meeting to agree an attendance plan and, where appropriate, involve external services so that families receive joined up support.

Helping your child catch up after absence
If your child has missed learning, we will support them to catch up through class resources and clear next steps from their teachers. Families can help by checking Google Classroom, encouraging completion of missed work, and contacting subject teachers or the tutor if support is needed.

Key documents
Attendance policies are available here Policies.