Student Absence
Leaders' vision to be exceptional, at the heart of the community and where 'better never stops' is kept at the centre of their work- Ofsted 2023
We ask that all parents/carers notify Waingels of any absence from school.
Absence due to illness
We want to make reporting your child’s absence a simple process for you and for the school. From Monday 1st December 2025 (but please feel free to start doing this before this date!), please report your child’s same day absence to school using the Arbor app. Please do not use any attendance/absence emails you may have used in the past and do not use the school phone line from Monday 1st December.
Here is a step-by-step guide to logging same day absences on Arbor: Logging absences on the Parent Portal and Arbor App – Arbor Help Centre
Please notify the school every day that your child is absent.
Medical evidence will be required for any absence of 3 days or more.
For further guidance and information please use these NHS guidelines http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Yourchildatschool/Pages/Illness.aspx
Reporting a future absence
If you are reporting or requesting a future absence please use this form and email to our Absence email address absence@waingels.wokingham.sch.uk.
*We also would like to encourage you to view your child’s attendance on the app following these instructions: Attendance on the Parent Portal and Parent App – Arbor Help Centre
Leave of absence during term time
Please be advised that the Department for Education have advised schools to only authorise leave of absence/holidays in exceptional circumstances, hence Waingels will not approve any absence in term time, except in such circumstances.
Please complete the Leave of Absence Request Form and return it to school at least one month before the requested absence. We will endeavour to respond to your request within 5 working days.
If approved your child will be expected to collect and complete all missed work. Please note that taking your child away during the school term may be detrimental to their educational progress.
Please be aware that if holidays are taken without approval, this information will be passed to our Education Welfare Officer and a penalty notice may be issued without further warning. More details are available on the Wokingham Council website or from the Education Welfare Service, http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-information-and-services/school-attendance-and-absence/
Links and Documents
.Gov- Why is School Attendance so Important and the Risks of Missing a Day?
Attendance Newsletter- October 2024
Attendance Newsletter- March 2024