Reporting Absence

If a child needs to miss a school day this should be reported by 8.30am to our Attendance Officer, Ms Whittle via email at: attendance@soham-college.org.uk or alternatively, telephone: 01353 724100 and select option 1 to leave a message.

If absence is due to illness, we ask that you explain in a little detail their condition and any steps taken to remedy it. If a medical professional is seen, we recommend that you keep any evidence of the visit, such as an appointment card, prescription etc.

For further information, please see our Attendance policy and flowchart;

Planned Term-Time Absence

We strongly recommend that families do not book leave during term time. In accordance with government guidelines, any absence due to term time leave will be unauthorised and parents/carers liable to a penalty notice unless exceptional circumstances apply. Requests for term time leave must be made to the Headteacher in writing, using the online form below and these will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If unauthorised absences are recorded, a Penalty Notice Fine can be issued by the Local Authority to each parent/carer in respect of each child who is absent from school. Failure to pay will result in legal proceedings being initiated under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996.

If 3 or more term time leave Penalty Notices have been issued over a 3-year period then prosecution in relation to Section 444 Education Act 1996, may be considered as an alternative to a Penalty Notice fine being issued. Where a parent takes a child out of school during term time for an extended period (20 days or more), not authorised by the school, prosecution in relation to Section

If you have any questions about this or have any issues completing the online form, then please contact our Attendance Officer before making any travel arrangements.