Home Learning

At Northfields Infants and Nursery School, we recognise that there may be times when a pupil is unable to attend school for an extended period due to illness, medical treatment, or other unavoidable circumstances. While rest and recovery should always take priority, we want to support families by offering non-compulsory home learning opportunities to help pupils stay engaged with their education.

Extended Absences Due to Illness or Medical Treatment

There are many reasons why a child might be away from school for a significant amount of time. These can include:

  • Recovering from a broken bone or other injury that makes movement difficult.
  • A prolonged hospital stay due to surgery or a medical condition.
  • Managing a chronic illness such as severe asthma, diabetes, or another long-term health condition.
  • Ongoing mental health challenges that require additional time at home for wellbeing.

While every situation is different, research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) suggests that maintaining some level of educational engagement can help pupils transition back into school life more smoothly. However, this must be balanced with their recovery, ensuring that learning remains flexible and manageable.

To support children during extended absences, we can provide:

  • Suggested activities linked to current classroom learning, such as reading tasks, phonics practise, or number work.
  • Online resources including phonics videos, storytelling platforms, and simple interactive games.
  • Creative and practical tasks such as writing prompts, art projects, or nature-based activities to encourage hands-on learning.

If your child is expected to be absent for a long period, please contact the school office. Teachers will provide appropriate activities that ensure a smooth transition back into school when they are ready to return.

Term-Time Holidays

We strongly discourage taking pupils out of school during term time for holidays. Such absences can disrupt your child’s learning and may lead to an unauthorised absence penalty.

According to Hertfordshire County Council’s policy, unauthorised absences can result in a Penalty Notice being issued to parents. The fine is currently £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, increasing to £160 per parent, per child if paid between the 22nd and 28th day. Further penalties may apply for repeated unauthorised absences. Further details can be found here.

If you choose to take a term-time holiday, we encourage you to:

  • Create a travel log: Pupils can document their experiences through drawings, writing, or photographs, helping to develop their literacy and observational skills.
  • Be aware of missed learning: Our teachers can provide an overview of topics covered during the absence, allowing parents to help reinforce key concepts at home.

We want to ensure that every child feels confident and connected to their learning, whether at school or at home. As a matter of safeguarding best practice, we will maintain regular contact with you during your child’s absence, and we ask that you keep us informed of their progress and expected return date.

If you have any concerns about an extended absence, please speak to your child’s teacher for advice on how best to support their education.