Reporting an Absence

Reporting an unplanned absence

If a student is unable to attend the Academy, parents/carers must contact the attendance office before 8am on that day via email attendance@harrismerton.org.uk or call 02086231009. The below information is required;

• Full name of student
• Tutor group of student
• Reason for absence and when the student will return

Please ensure you phone in for every day of absence even if it is a continuous absence from the previous day.

Our school’s attendance officer will decide whether the absence is authorised or not. In the case of parents not notifying the school of any absence it will be recorded as an O (unauthorised absence – absent in other or unknown circumstances). We will make contact to find out why your child is not in school using the contact details on the system. Please ensure we are kept up to date with any changes of address, email address or telephone numbers. 

You can also report lateness to the above details.

Medical appointments

If your child has a medical appointment, please request absence from school via email attendance@harrismerton.org.uk or call 02086231009 prior to the appointment, where possible, explaining what time they need to leave the Academy. We do not expect a child to be absent for a whole day for medical appointments unless evidence supports this.

Routine dentist and doctor’s appointments need to be made after school or in the school holidays. 

Requesting leave of absence

Attendance to school is crucial for success. The only reason for absence should be illness. Term dates are published in advance so please do not book holidays in term time as they will not be authorised. 

If you wish to request a special leave of absence, for example to attend a funeral, you will need to fill in an absence request form (see below). This must be completed well in advance. The final decision whether to approve will be made by the Principal. On receipt of a leave of absence form together with any supporting documentation (for example, return flights), consideration will be given to the circumstance. A letter outlining the decision of the school will be sent to you within 7 days.

Harris Academy Merton does not authorise any holidays taken during term time, and this will be recorded as unauthorised. 

Support with attendance/punctuality

For further support with attendance parents/carers should contact attendance@harrismerton.org.uk

 

KEY DOCUMENTS
Request for Leave of Absence	Click Here