Term Time Holidays
Parents are required by law to ensure their children attend school for the full 190 days per academic year. This ruling has been challenged and has been supported by the courts. Schools are not permitted to authorise any holidays during term time, and are only allowed to authorise absences if they are ‘exceptional’. Holidays are not to be considered exceptional.
‘While family holidays are enriching experiences, the school year is designed to give families the opportunity for these breaks without having to disrupt their children's education.’ DfE 9 June 2016
Any absence needs to be advised to school within a timely manner. For medical appointments and similar, please let the school office know by email or phone as soon as you are aware. For all other absences such as Holidays/Weddings etc, please complete the Holiday Request Form at least 2 weeks before the absence. If you believe your request falls into the category of ‘exceptional’, it would help us to process this if you provide the evidence at the same time as the request. If we are able to authorise your request, this will be reviewed prior to the absence to ensure circumstances have not changed. If we have to decline your request and you still take your child out of school we have to notify the Local Authority who may issue a Penalty Notice.
|
Penalties for unauthorised absence |
||
|
Timeline |
One child |
Two children |
|
Paid within 21 days |
£60 per parent |
£60 per child = £120 per parent |
|
After 21 days and before 28 days |
£120 per parent |
£120 per child = £240 per parent |
|
After 28 days |
The parents will receive a summons to appear before the Magistrates’ Court. |
The parents will receive a summons to appear before the Magistrates’ Court. |