Student Absence

At The Willink School and Sixth Form it is our vision to ensure that all students flourish and achieve their full academic and personal potential. We aim to develop confident, respectful, and resilient global citizens with the knowledge and skills to be successful in the 21st century. This cannot be achieved without promoting good school attendance, good punctuality, and reducing absence.

Research shows a direct correlation between high levels of attendance and strong academic attainment. It is important that students attend school every day during term time, unless they are not well enough to do so. Every moment in school counts, and days missed add up quickly.

Likewise, students arriving on time for lessons, equipped with the materials they need and wearing school uniform correctly, enable teachers to start lessons promptly and maximise the learning experience for all students in the classroom.

To support your child’s learning and wellbeing, parents are responsible for notifying the school whenever their child is absent.

Our Attendance Policy can be found here.

Reporting Absence Due to Illness

If your child is unwell and unable to attend school you can report their absence by:

• Calling the attendance line: 0118 983 8422

• Emailing: attendance@willink.w-berks.sch.uk

Please notify the school every day that your child is absent. 

If no reason for absence is provided, or if further information is needed, the school will follow up by text, email, or phone call. 

If you are emailing about your child’s absence, please ensure you send the message from the email address you have registered with us for communication.

Absences for illness of 5+ days will require some form of medical evidence to support the absence.

Absence Due to a Medical / Dental Appointment

Wherever possible, parents are asked to make medical and dental appointments outside of school hours, as time away from lessons can be disruptive to learning. If, however, your child needs to attend a medical or dental appointment during the school day, please notify the school in advance and provide details of the appointment.

Optician appointments should be made outside of school hours, unless they are arranged through a hospital clinic.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

Parents must obtain permission from the Head Teacher before taking their child out of school during term time. 

The Department for Education advises schools to only authorise leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. Therefore, The Willink will not approve any absence during term time unless such circumstances apply. 

Requests for leave must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance using the appropriate application form (see below). All requests are considered at the Head Teacher’s discretion.
Leave of Absence Application Form

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 note, if the absence is not authorised and the leave is taken, schools may refer to the Local Authority for legal action.

For further details, please refer to the school’s Attendance Policy.

Reporting Sixth Form Student Absence

• Email: sixthformattendance@willink.w-berks.sch.uk
• Telephone: 0118 983 8428 or 0118 983 2030 (Option 3)

Parents or carers should notify the Sixth Form office each day of a student’s absence. Absences due to illness lasting 5 or more days require medical evidence.

Planned absences (e.g., Work Experience, Open Days, medical appointments) should be submitted via an Authorised Absence Request (Green Form), available from the Sixth Form office. Forms must be signed by the student’s tutor, and students should inform subject teachers to keep up with work. Family holidays and driving lessons are not authorised.

Please refer to the Sixth Form handbook for further guidance.