Following guidance from the Local Authority (LA) and Central Government, the following outline the National regulations regarding term time leave of absence.

The regulations state that no term time leave of absence should be granted except in ‘..exceptional circumstances..’

‘..exceptional circumstances..’ are being defined as, for example, a serving member of HM forces returning from overseas on leave and wishing to take the family on a short break. Family weddings and holidays with family members etc. would not fall into this category.

From the 19th August 2024, the following will apply:

Per Parent/Per Child Penalty Notices

Penalty Notices for absences will be issued per child, per parent. This means that if multiple siblings are absent during term time and the absences are unauthorised by the school, each parent will receive a separate fine for each child’s absence. Penalty Notices will be issued by the local authority, and the payment will be made directly to them. This is dealt with by the local authority’s Attendance Support Team (previously known as Education Welfare Service).

First Offence Penalties

The first penalty notice issued to each parent in respect of a particular pupil will be charged at £160.00 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 per parent if paid within 21 days.

Second Offence (within 3 years)

A second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil is charged at a flat rate of £160.00 per parent if paid within 28 days.

Third Offence and any further offences (within 3 years)

A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of issue of the first penalty notice. In a case where the national threshold is met for a third time (or subsequent times) within those 3 years, alternative action will be taken instead. This will often include considering prosecution but may include other tools such as one of the other attendance legal interventions.

10 Sessions (5 days) of Unauthorised Absence in a 10-week period

Penalty Notice Fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions (which is the same as 5 days) of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period.

Term time leave of absence will NOT be granted for holidays or family weddings etc.

School days are precious; children only attend school 190 out of 365 days. There are 175 days a year which parents can use for any activities other than school.

Applications for Leave of Absence

If you think you do have a case to be considered for leave of absence, a request must be made in advance or the absence cannot legally be authorised even if deemed to be exceptional circumstances.

All requests must be made at least two weeks in advance to the Headteacher by completing the school application form (either from the school office or via the school website).   A parent/adult with whom the child resides must make the application even though the pupil may not be taking the proposed leave with them.

The form must be fully completed, and you will receive a written response confirming if the request will be authorised or not.

If leave is granted, and you are travelling abroad, you will need to supply us with confirmation of your return flight tickets, such as bringing a copy of the flight tickets in to the school reception for us to copy.

Please contact the school office if you have any queries relating to these regulations.

Please note; these are National regulations that the school are obliged to enforce.