It is the parents' responsibility to make contact with the school on the first and each subsequent day of any absence by telephoning 020 8504 9618 and selecting option 1. Parents can also complete the online reporting form to report absence on the link HERE. Please note, medical evidence will be requested after the third day of absence. 

The school is unable to authorise term-time leave requests for holiday purposes. The Education Act states that it is illegal to remove children from school for this reason. The school is entitled to consider removing a student from our register when there is a prolonged and sustained period of absence. 

Please note: Woodbridge High School adopts the 'London Borough of Redbridge’s Attendance Strategy' which can be found HERE.

Please be mindful; the school gates are closed at 8.35am and registers are taken at 8.40am. The school, in conjunction with The Department for Education, regards the attendance figure of 96% as good and attendance of 90% over a period of time as a serious cause for concern. The school works with The London Borough of Redbridge Education Welfare Service.

The Family Support Team will undertake home visits for safeguarding purposes. Regular absence and term-time leave for holiday purposes will incur Penalty Notice Fines, and at times this can lead to court proceedings if attendance or punctuality matters remain serious.

A UK Department for Education report (2025) confirms that higher attendance continues to correlate with better academic outcomes at both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4. 

The Attendance Policy can be found HERE.