Attendance

If your child is ill and cannot attend school, you must let us know before 9.00am that day by calling the office on 01582 760031. Please continue to inform the office each day your child is unable to attend school, before 9:00am.

If your child has sickness or diarrhoea, in line with the Health Authority’s recommendation, you must keep them at home for 48 hours after the last bout of illness.

If your child has a serious or recurring medical problem, it is vital that you let us know.

If your child has an accident or becomes unwell and is clearly unable to continue to stay at school, we will always contact you or the person nominated by you.

Attendance Policy

The most recent attendance policy can be found here:

Attendance Policy October 2025

Here is The Grove Schools’ attendance flowchart:

Attendance At The Grove Schools - Flowchart

Key Points for Parents – Attendance Policy

• Attendance is vital for your child’s learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities.
• Children must attend school every day unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• Only the Headteacher can authorise absences. Parents must apply at least 2 weeks in advance using the school’s form.
• Exceptional circumstances are defined as rare, significant, unavoidable, and short events.
• Holidays during term time are not authorised and may result in a penalty notice.
• Penalty notices are issued after 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence in a rolling 10-week period:
• £160 per parent per child (reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days).
• Second notice within 3 years: £160 with no reduction.
• Further offences may lead to prosecution.
• Lateness after 9:20am is marked as unauthorised absence.
• Persistent Absenteeism: Attendance below 90%.
• Severe Absenteeism: Attendance below 50%.
• Medical evidence may be requested for repeated illness-related absences.
• Support is available if your child is struggling to attend—contact your class teacher or Miss Bunce.
• Good attendance and punctuality are celebrated and rewarded.
• Contact for attendance support:
• Miss H Bunce – Strategic Lead
• Mrs E Ryan / Mrs L Harris – Day-to-day queries
• Email: admin@grovejm.herts.sch.uk

Requests for Absence

The application form for a leave of absence can be found here:

Leave of Absence Request Form

School Timings