Parents/carers are strongly advised to avoid taking their children on holiday during term time and should be aware that any absence has a detrimental effect on a student’s academic progress and overall attendance level.

Amendments to the law that came into effect from 1st September 2013 removed any reference to family holidays and extended leave, as well as the previous statutory threshold of ten school days per year. Any application for leave of absence in term time should only be requested in exceptional circumstances and the Headteacher must be satisfied that the circumstances are of such an exceptional nature to warrant the granting of leave. Parents/carers are also reminded that leave of absence during term time is not a right and will only be granted with the greatest reluctance.

Any application for leave of absence must be made in advance by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides. This should be done by way of submitting a “Request for Leave of Absence” form, which is available from the school reception office. Leave of absence that has not previously been approved will be categorised as unauthorised.

As the school must consider the request for absence, please ensure that the application is submitted to school at least 6 weeks before the requested period of absence is due to commence.

Retrospective applications will not be authorised.

On receipt of an application for leave of absence in term time, the school will consider the following
issues:

• Does the absence fall within a period of transition (e.g. primary to secondary transition, movement of one year group to another)?
• Does the absence fall during an examination period, internal or external?
• Does the student have current attendance less than 96%?
• Will the proposed leave of absence take the student’s attendance below 96%?
• Does the student have any unauthorised absences?
• Has leave of absence been taken or applied for in the current or previous academic year?
• Any exceptional circumstances which may warrant authorising leave of absence.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Section 444(A) of the Education Act 1996 empowers the local authority to issue Penalty Notices for failure to ensure regular school attendance. Parents or carers who remove their children from school for leave of absence in term time without the schools permission, or are late returning from an extended leave of absence, may receive a Penalty Notice fine of £60 which must be paid within 21 days. lf payment is made after 21 days but within 28 days the penalty is increased to £120. Where a fine remains unpaid after 28 days the matter will be referred to the borough solicitor who will consider instigating criminal proceedings.