REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE OF A PUPIL FOR A FAMILY HOLIDAY

The Governing body of the school has a discretionary power to allow pupils to be absent during
term time to take a family holiday. This can only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and the
pupils attendance record will be taken into account when any request for leave of absence is
considered.

Parents are reminded that leave of absence during term time is not a right, and will only be
granted with the greatest reluctance, as any absence has a detrimental effect on a pupils
academic progress and overall attendance level. Absence for holidays which have not previously
been approved will be categorised as unauthorised.

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 take their children on
holiday in term time without the schools permission or are late returning from an extended
holiday, may receive a Penalty Notice fine of ESO, which must be paid within 28 days. lf payment is
made after 28 days but within 42 days, the penalty is increased to £100. Where a fine remains
unpaid after 42 days, the matter will be referred to the borough solicitor, who will consider
instigating criminal proceedings.
As the Governing Body must consider the request for absence, please ensure that the application
is submitted to school at least 6 weeks before the period of absence.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Retrospective applications will not be authorised.

On receipt of an application for a holiday 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 pupil have an unsatisfactory) attendance record? e.g. less than 94% (school average is 95%)?
• Does the pupil have any unauthorised absences

When none of the above considerations apply the school will take account of any special
circumstances which would warrant authorising the holiday.