Student Attendance
Securing excellent attendance and punctuality makes a significant contribution to securing excellent academic achievement. Our expectations in relation to attendance can be found in our Student Attendance Policy on our Policies page. Confirmation of our term dates can be found on our Calendar page.
Confirmation of lesson timings can be found on our School Day page.
The school has an automatic messaging service that will notify parents and carers if a student fails to register.
If your child is going to be absent, on the first day and each subsequent day either:
- Send an email to: absence@latimer.org.uk
- Send a text to 07444 851655
- Ring the 24-hour absence answer line on 01536 720300
Please state your child’s name, form, reason for absence and expected date of return. Please contact the school at the start of each subsequent day of illness.
All correspondence about absences should be directed to the Student Services Team. Should you send written communication into school, your child should hand this to the Student Services Receptionist at the start of the day. Please make sure the letter contains your child's name, form and the specific dates of absences.
Authorising Absences
The decision to authorise an absence lies with the school, based on DFE guidance. Absences for the following will not typically be authorised:
- Looking after younger siblings
- Staying at home for deliveries
- Shopping
- Having a birthday
- Oversleeping
Leave of Absence
It is important that we remind you that, under DfE rules, headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Parents and carers may be given a fixed term penalty notice (PN) for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school. These penalties can range from at least £80 and above and are payable within 28 days. Each parent and carer may be fined for each individual child. Penalties are imposed by North Northants Council (NNC) and the monies collected do not come to the school.
Unauthorised holidays which result in absences of 10 school sessions (the equivalent of 5 days) or more may be referred for fixed term penalties. For more details please read the NCC Brief Guide to Penalty Notices.
It follows that The Latimer Arts College will not authorise leave of absence for holidays. Absences will only be granted for exceptional circumstances with approval from the Principal following submission of a Leave of Absence request form. The Principal will consider each individual request and parents/carers will be notified of the decision in writing. A meeting may be arranged to discuss the matter further.
If you wish to request a leave of absence form, please contact Student Services.