• what the illness is
• whether the child has seen a doctor
• how long you expect them to be absent
• If you need school staff to give your children medicine, you need to give them written consent. The Department for Education offers more information on medicine in school.

You can only take your children out of school during term for exceptional circumstances – such as family weddings or bereavements. It is up to the school to decide.

If you are having trouble getting your child to go to school, talk to the school. Contact Fiona Hostler on fiona.hostler@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or call 0118 937 4336 if you think a child is not attending school when they should be.

Children can be excluded from school for a fixed term – anything up to 45 days in a school year – or, if the situation is very serious, permanently.

Guidance and information about exclusions can be found on the Reading Services Guide.