Letter to School Explaining Child's Absence Through Illness

When a child is ill or sick and therefore has an absence from school, it is imperative that parents contact the school as soon as possible- usually by telephone - to inform the school that their child will not be attending that day. This is important so that schools are able to deal with acts of truancy, and also helps them to ensure that your son or daughter is safe. However, once the child is feeling well enough to return to school, or the reason behind his or her temporary absence has abated, then it is important that parents write a letter explaining the absence. This helps teachers to ensure that registers are kept fully up to date and each child is accounted for.

Non-Illness Related Absence

If you as a parent or care giver have a reason other than illness that you feel a child should be absent from school, it is a good idea if you ask the school permission in advance. If you want your child to miss school for a religious festival, or family occasion, and the absence involves only a day or two off school, permission will usually be granted unless there is an important reason on the school's part that should not occur. Nonetheless, to ensure permission is granted, parents should write to the school in a polite way, phrasing the question as a request. Note that requests for a child to be absent from school for some reasons, such as to facilitate a cheaper family holiday during term-time, do not have to be granted by the school and are up to the discretion of the head teacher.

This letter format laid out below is a sample piece of correspondence from parents to a school to explain a child's absence from school for the period of three days due to illness. It can be used as an example of the phrasing you might want to use if your own child is ill and requires a similar letter to be sent to their school.

The School House
School Lane
Schoolville
England

Parental Address
Family Home
Anytown
England

Date

Dear Mrs Teacher,

From Monday until Wednesday this week (25-27 April), Frank was very ill at home in bed. He was suffering from flu - I think it might have been going around his class as some of his friends also suffered - and hence was not able to attend school on these days.

Frank is very conscientious and feels concerned that he has missed two important days of school, as GCSEs draw close. I would appreciate it if you are able to let him know what he has missed and give him some work to enable him to catch up with missed assignments at home, to prevent him from falling behind.

If you have any concerns, you can contact me, Mother, on 0131 2343 9049 or 0723422342, or email me at mother@parents.com.

With thanks for your time and best wishes

[signature]

Mr and Mrs Smith, mother and father of Frank Smith (form 3b)