Absence Procedures

Reporting Staff Absences & Requesting Cover

Unplanned Absences

If you are unwell or for any reason you are unable to attend school this must be reported as soon as possible and definitely before 7.30am.

• Telephone the school number (01603 485266) and select option 3 to report your absence. Please try to give an indication of why you are absent and how many days you will be absent, or alternatively, phone in each day.
• If you are able to, please email Cover work to the school, preferably by 8.00am.  The address is - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    (Please do not send to Sue Rose’s school email address – there is always the chance she may be absent!).
• If you attend the Doctor and are given a medical certificate then please make sure you send this into the school office and also phone to let the Cover Co-ordinator (Sue Rose) know you have been signed off work and for how long.

Absences for Medical Appointments

As much as is possible please try to arrange medical appointments out of school time but if this is unavoidable complete an orange cover request form which is kept in the staff room, complete it and attach a copy of any paperwork you have which relates to the appointment. Your line manager and the Headteacher will need to authorise this before it is submitted to the Cover Co-ordinator.

Planned Absences

If you are booked to attend a training course or need to be ‘off timetable’ for any reason then this MUST be booked as soon as possible. Anything not booked with at least two weeks notice will not be passed. Please check the desk diary kept in Sims to see if the day concerned is already closed for cover.

• First complete an orange Cover Request form which is kept in the staff room.
• You then need to get it signed by your line manager and submitted to Elaine Nicklin. If there is funding please indicate this on the form. These forms are checked on a Tuesday and if the request is refused for any reason you will be informed. If not it will be entered on the system and you can check this via the school website (Home page, Staff Zone, Cover list, select relevant date.)
• If there are any special requests, either rooms or any special indicators for the lesson then again please let the Cover Co-ordinator (Sue Rose) know so this can be passed onto the Cover Staff.
• Cover work for the lesson must be prepared and left in the coloured trays in the Staff room along with the cover work proforma sheet (make sure it is placed in the correct day and periods please!) If you are using text books or any resources for the lesson, please state on the proforma sheet where these can be found. Likewise, please highlight any special needs or behaviour issues. VERY IMPORTANT – please ensure your room is accessible to the cover staff.
  
  

Cancelling Cover

If for some reason you know that an absence you have previously booked is no longer required it is very important that you let the Cover Co-ordinator (Sue Rose) know to cancel it. Supply teachers will possibly have been booked for that day and may no longer be required but unless agencies receive 24 hours notice the school is still charged for the booking.

Download a copy of the Absence Procedures document (pdf, 24Kb)