Dear Parents/Carers,

The law does not grant parents an automatic right to take their child out of school during term time. The Department for Education allows a Head Teacher the discretion to consider authorising a leave of absence in term time only in “exceptional circumstances”. 

Any absence from school will disrupt your child’s learning.  Please consider writing to your MP to campaign for the cost of holidays during authorised dates to be the same price as holidays taken during term time.

You may consider that a holiday will be educational but your child will still miss out on the teaching that their peers will receive whilst your child is away.  Children returning from a leave of absence during term time are also unprepared for the lessons which build on the teaching they have missed.  Teachers then have to give more time to help individual children catch up on missed work.  This poses a potential risk of the under achievement for your child and other students in the class.  This is something we all have a responsibility to avoid.

You eed to request a leave of absence by completing the form on the website (above) or you can request one from the school office . If the holiday is not considered to be an exceptional circumstance, and you nevertheless take your child out of school for the leave of absence this will be recorded as unauthorised leave.

All unauthorised absences, including holidays that have not been sanctioned by the headteacher, are accumulated and parents who fail to ensure regular attendance of their children at school can be issud with a Fixed Penalty Notice under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996. The amount is £80 (per parent per child) if paid within 21 days and £160 (per parent per child) if paid between 21 and 28 days. 

A second offence within three years will incur a penalty of £160 per parent per child and the third time an offence is committed, a penalty notice will not be issued and local authorities will need to consider other available measures to address the absence concerns. This may mean that cases are presented before a Magistrate’s Court. Prosecution can result in criminal records and fines of up to £2,500 and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months.  

The law does not grant parents an automatic right to take their child out of school during term time and parents or carers must apply to school for a leave of absence. The Department for Education allows a Head teacher the discretion to consider authorising a leave of absence in term time in ‘specific circumstances’ and in ‘exceptional circumstances’.  We are required to consider each application individually taking account of the specific facts and circumstances, and relevant background context behind the request. Parents and carers who the child normally lives with must complete a ‘Leave of Absence’ form outlining in writing the exceptional circumstances for the request.  A paper copy of the form can be obtained from the school office and there is also a copy of the form above. The form must be returned to school for a decision at least 2 weeks before the first day of leave requested (except for a bereavement or other serious family emergency). The Head teacher may invite you to attend a meeting to discuss your request.

I hope you will support our efforts to raise attendance and attainment at our school.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. J. E. Fish