Guidance on absence due to illness
Regular attendance at school promotes pupils' wellbeing and gives them the best chance of learning and reaching their potential.
However, children will undoubtedly pick up infectious diseases during their time at school and this means that they are unable to attend. In these cases, school refers to and follows this guidance when advising parents/carers of the time the child is required to remain off school: Children and young people settings: tools and resources - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . This is then recorded on your child's record as to why they were absent.
All absences, whether illness or otherwise, must be reported to the school office before 9am on the day of absence.
Is my child too ill for school?
It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they're unwell. Here is some useful help from the NHS:
Is my child too ill for school? - NHS
Winter Infections in children - guidance for parents & guardians
Please click on the link below for guidance on winter infections from the UK Health Security Agency.
2024 Winter Illnesses In Children
Quick overview
This table lists the most likely childhood illnesses and indicates how long your child should be off. Whilst every attempt is made to keep this table up to date, the guidance referenced above will take precedence. If in doubt, contact the school office.
| Illness | My child should be off until |
| Chicken Pox | at least 5 days from onset of rash and until all blisters have crusted over |
| Diarrhoea &/or Vomiting | 48 hours after their last episode |
|
Cold and flu-like illness (including COVID-19) |
They no longer have a high temperature and feel well enough to attend. Follow the national guidance if they’ve tested positive for COVID-19 |
| Impetigo |
Their sores have crusted and healed, or 48 hours after they started antibiotics |
| Measles |
4 days after the rash first appeared |
| Mumps |
5 days after the swelling started |
| Scabies |
They’ve had their first treatment |
| Scarlet Fever |
24 hours after they started taking antibiotics |
| Whooping Cough |
48 hours after they started taking antibiotics |
| My child should attend school but you must let us know if they have: |
| Hand, Foot & Mouth |
| Glandular Fever |
| Head Lice |
| Tonsillitis |
| Threadworms |
| Slapped Cheek/Fifth Disease |
Supporting pupils with medical conditions
Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions (Mar 2024)
