If your child is unwell or unable to attend school (unplanned absence)

You must notify the school of the reason for the absence on the first day of an unplanned absence by 8.30am or as soon as practically possible by contacting the school office.

• Call – 01691 652446, select option 1 for the Attendance Manager. Parents can leave a message if the phone is unmanned or engaged.
• Text 07786 201172 – This service is checked regularly throughout the day and is an opportunity to communicate with school.
• Email – admin@woodside.shropshire.sch.uk

We will mark absence due to physical or mental illness as authorised unless the school has a genuine concern about the authenticity of the illness.

Where the absence is longer than 5 days or there are doubts about the authenticity of the illness, the school will ask for medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence. We will not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily.

If the school is not satisfied about the authenticity of the illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents/carers will be notified of this in advance.

Planned absence

Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised as long as you notify the school in advance of the appointment.

You should complete a ‘Leave of absence request form’ to request planned absence. This forms can be obtained from the school office. The Headteacher will make a decision on whether this request has been authorised or not. You will be notified of the Headteacher’s decision by letter.

However, we encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours when possible. Where this is not possible, the pupil should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary.

Where the absence is longer than 5 days or there are doubts about the authenticity of the illness, the school will ask for medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence. We will not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily.

If the school is not satisfied about the authenticity of the illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents/carers will be notified of this in advance.