Orchard Primary School

Pupil Attendance

Your childs attendance to school is very important as this helps ensure they remain on top of their learning throughout the year. Children do inevitably get unwell, but we would like to reduce the absences due to minor illnesses like coughs & colds. Also reasons like 'my child is tired' cannot always be authorised as children are expected to be in school. Even if they arrive a little later this can still be marked as 'in attendance' for the afternoon session.

Our aim is to work with our parents to ensure we achieve the highest attendance possible for all pupils throughout the year.

Is my child too ill for school?

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school when they're unwell. To help you make the right decision the NHS has published some guidance which may help with your decision.

For further details please 'click here'.

Here is some further advice from the UK Health Agency - 

Scarlet Fever (Group A Strep)

  • Common symptoms: sore throat, fever, mild skin infection.
  • If children have these symptoms, contact your GP or NHS 111.
  • If diagnosed, they must stay off school for 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
  • Rare but serious symptoms (seek urgent care): high fever, severe muscle aches, localised muscle pain.

Norovirus (“Winter Vomiting Bug”)

  • Causes vomiting and/or diarrhoea, usually lasts 2–3 days.
  • Stay off school until 48 hours after symptoms stop and they feel well.
  • Wash hands with soap and water to prevent spread.

Respiratory Infections (including COVID-19)

  • Most cases are mild; seek GP advice if your child has underlying health condition.
  • If your child tests positive for COVID-19:
    • Stay home for 3 days and return when well and fever-free.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

  • Mild illness with fever and rash/blisters on hands, feet, mouth.
  • No exclusion needed if your child feels well.

General Advice

  • Keep children off school if they have diarrhoea, vomiting, or a high temperature until 48 hours after symptoms stop and they feel well.
  • Practice good hygiene: wash hands, cover coughs/sneezes, clean surfaces, let fresh air in.

If you do keep your child at home, it's important to phone the school on the first day. Let us know that your child won't be in and give us the reasons so this can be logged. Just saying 'my child is ill' is also not enough, you must provide details/symptoms e.g. fever, headached, sore throat etc. If there is continued absence, please remember to inform the school either my leaving an absence message or via the school messaging app (Eduspot).

If your childs attendance is low due to regular illness, the school will be in contact with you to try and help improve this.

Lambeth Guidance - Attendance changes 2025-26

Please find below a letter which details guidance from Lambeth council regarding punctuality & attendance.

letter to parents academic year 25 26.pdf