Important information for parents/carers
As a parent you do not have any legal right or entitlement to take your child out of school in order to go on a family holiday during term-time and you should not as a rule expect any leave requested to be granted.
The relevant regulations were recently amended to remove the discretion Headteachers previously had to grant leave for term-time holidays in special circumstances. The regulations now state that Headteachers may only grant any leave of absence during term-time if there are exceptional circumstances.
If you request leave you must be able to demonstrate that the circumstances are exceptional. We will not as a rule consider the following to be exceptional circumstances:
- The availability of cheap holidays
- The availability of the desired accommodation
- Poor weather experienced during school holiday periods
- An overlap with the beginning/end of term
- You have not previously requested term-time leave
If you take your child out of school for a family holiday without the school’s prior authorisation your child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
If your child is absent from school on a family holiday without authorisation the school may ask the council to issue a Penalty Notice. This Penalty Notice is a fine of £80 which, if not paid within 21 days, rises to £160. If you are issued with a Penalty Notice and you fail to pay it within 28 days you will be prosecuted in court.
If you find find it absolutely necessary to request leave during term-time you will need to put your request in writing AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS before the date when you would like the absence to begin. You will also need to demonstrate why you believe the circumstances for your request are exceptional.
It is important to remember that all leave is authorised at the discretion of the Headteacher
Please use the following links to view our Attendance and Lates Policy and Attendance Information Leaflet.
Attendance and Lates Policy September 2024