Parent uproar as Neale-Wade Academy in March announces new attendance policy banning period pain and colds as reasons for absence

A secondary school’s new attendance policy has sparked tension with parents after it refused to accept periods and colds as reasons for absence.

Neale-Wade Academy, in March, has banned the use of phrases such as “ill”, “poorly” or 'unwell' when giving an explanation for student time off as part of its new push to “ensure the best educational outcomes” for those who go there.

Instead, the school is calling for specific details of the symptoms to be given, or in the case of menstruation, “medical information” to avoid being slapped with an unauthorised absence.

However, hundreds of comments across various Facebook groups have hit back at the school for the new ruling.

One said: “I’d be removing my kids from the school and home educating them, which any parent is legally allowed to do.

“No way would I have a school dictating whether my child was well enough for school or not.

“I wouldn’t want my kids going to school where there are poorly kids spreading germs for my kids to pick up.”

Someone else said: “Period pain is so bad for some, sad they think it’s not a reason to be at home with a hot water bottle.”

But others have welcomed the new policy, with one user saying: “It is not unreasonable for parents to inform the school why the child is absent.

“A cold is not an excuse to miss work and isn't an excuse to miss school. ‘I'm not well’ isn't enough for work so it isn't enough for schools’.”

Another praised the academy and said: “Thank God that some sense is coming back into school - about time.

“When I was at school unless your head had fallen off, you went to school. Keep up the good work.”

Graham Horn, the principal at Neale-Wade, has defended the decision by saying that attendance is “crucial for academic success”.

He said: “In line with new statutory guidance from the Department for Education and Cambridgeshire Local Authority, effective 19th August 2024, we are implementing changes to our attendance policies including how student absence is reported to the school.

“These changes include increased support for students at risk of persistent absence and potential legal consequences for unauthorised absences.

“We appreciate the cooperation of parents and carers as we work together to ensure the best educational outcomes for all our students.”

“This change comes from the new guidance from the Department for Education, which asks us to be clearer about absences while reinforcing our commitment to student well-being.”

Principal Horn is encouraging anyone with concerns about specific reasons for regular absences to get in touch with the school directly.

He added: “We believe that working together with parents will help us better support the needs and well-being of our students, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes and academic success.”

Sickness phrases are not the only thing that parents and pupils have seen banned by the Academy this year. Back in July the school announced to parents a change in uniform policy, prohibiting students from wearing skirts.

At the time, Mr Horn said: “Our school is committed to maintaining clear, consistent, and affordable uniform expectations for all families.

“Skirts have been a recurring point of discussion due to the range of styles available, making it difficult for us to maintain a regulatory standard. This has also posed challenges for parents in ensuring their children comply with our uniform policy.”