# School Absence Request — Family Funeral
Date: 19 October 2026
Parties and reference: Parent: Helen Carter, 7 Example Gardens, Bristol. To headteacher, Example Brook Primary School, 10 School Example Lane, Bristol. Pupil: Noah Carter, Year 5, class 5B. Parent contact: helen.carter@example.com.
## 1. Leave requested and exceptional reason
I request authorised absence for Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2026 only, with Noah returning on Monday 26 October. His grandmother's funeral takes place in Newcastle at 11:00 on Friday 23 October. She was closely involved in his care and he wishes to attend with family support. This is a bereavement-related request for the headteacher to consider as exceptional circumstances, not a term-time holiday or a claim to an automatic two-day entitlement.
## 2. Why travel requires two school days
We plan to travel to Newcastle on Thursday afternoon so that Noah can rest and arrive before the Friday morning service, rather than undertake a very early long journey on the funeral day. We will return on Sunday 25 October and are not requesting Monday leave. The proposed dates are the shortest practical arrangement for this family event, with no leisure extension. I enclose the funeral director's confirmation and can provide travel details privately if required.
## 3. Attendance and learning arrangements
Noah's attendance so far this term has been full and there is no known assessment scheduled for these dates, subject to your confirmation. Please let us know about essential work or any concern about the absence; we will arrange reasonable catch-up without asking teachers to prepare special lessons. We will follow the school's reporting procedure if illness or an unforeseen disruption changes the return date, rather than treating this request as permission for additional absence.
## 4. Decision, privacy and pastoral support
Please confirm in writing whether each requested day is authorised and any conditions, if possible before departure. I understand that only the school can decide the application under its attendance duties and that submitting a request is not approval. If refused, please explain the reasons and the school's review route; I am not asking you to guarantee that enforcement action can never follow an unauthorised absence. Please restrict the funeral details to staff who need them and discuss any bereavement support with us discreetly.
## 5. Contact and signed request
I have parental responsibility for Noah and have discussed the proposed arrangements with his other parent, who supports this request. Please use the existing verified parent contact record for urgent communication; no new telephone number or access permission is created by this letter. The school office may verify the funeral confirmation without collecting unnecessary family records. Signed Helen Carter, parent, 19 October 2026. This completed example records a request only and does not purport to be a signed school authorisation.