Extended Leave
We need your support in ensuring that holidays are not taken in school time so that your child has every opportunity to succeed.
We know that it can be expensive to take holidays during school breaks and we understand this is why some parents ask for term-time leave for children. However it is crucial that you think very carefully about the implications of taking your child out of school during term time. Children who are taken out of school may never catch up on work they have missed. This will heavily impact on children's performance in school.
The law says that parents do NOT have the right to take their children out of school for holidays during term time. From September 2013, head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
If you take a holiday without the Head's permission, or if your child fails to return on the agreed date, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence i.e. truancy.
Recent government legislation has been introduced to reduce absences from school. From August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.
Fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered. If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500.
Schools will also have to consider a fine if a pupil misses 10 sessions (half days) of unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 school weeks. The threshold can be met with “any combination of unauthorised absence”. For example, four sessions in term time plus six instances of arriving late.
Penalty notices will be issued if:
• Your child is truanting
• Your child is persistently absent or late
• You take your child on holiday during term time without the Head Teacher's permission
• You delay your return from an extended holiday without prior school permission
Issues to Consider
Where possible, family holidays should always be arranged during the school holidays.
| October half-term (1 week) | Easter Holiday (2 weeks) |
| Christmas Holiday (2 weeks) | Spring Bank holiday (1 week) |
| February half-term (1 week) | Summer Holiday (6 weeks) |
There are times during the school year that will disrupt education significantly more than others.
You need to consider and avoid:
• Beginning of the school year
• The first year of school
• Absence in Year 2 and Year 6 before and during SATs (May)
What You Need to Do
If you want to request leave for your child at any time, you must seek permission from the Headteacher. You will need to complete a form which is available below and from the office. An appointment should be made with the Head teacher and/or the school's Attendance Officer to discuss the request. This must be done before booking your trip and at least 2 weeks in advance. The Headteacher will then inform you of her decision.
| Name | |
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| LEAVE OF ABSENCE FORM new.doc | Download |
