APPLICATION FOR ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL DURING TERM TIME
(EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES)
The school will not authorise leave of absence during term time. This includes absence for holidays and family occasions. Absences of this nature will be recorded as unauthorised. If your child has 10 school sessions (5 days) spread over one or more occasions, then the school will refer to the Local Authority who will issue a Penalty Notice. The fine payable is £80 per parent, per child and applies regardless of whether the parents reside at the same address. If this is not paid within 21 days, then the fine rises to £160. The school does not receive this money.
What will happen a second time?
(within three years) If parents/carers take a child, or children out of school for a second time a penalty notice will be issued for £160 per parent, per child and paid within 28 day. There is no reduction for prompt payment.
How many days does the government count as an unauthorised absence?
Penalty notice fines will be issued for term time leave or unauthorised absence of five or more days (10 sessions), in a 10 week school period.
What happens if parents don’t pay the fine?
If parents/carers do not pay the fine within the timescales, the council may refer the case to the Magistrates Court for non-school attendance proceedings under the Education Act 1996 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
What happens after a third time?
(within three years) If parents/carers are issued with a penalty notice a third time for either term time leave or unauthorised absence the case will be presented directly to the Magistrates’ Court and a fine of up to £2,500 can be issued. We urge parents/carers not to interrupt their children’s schooling and talk to their head teacher before requesting leave of absence.
- Leave of Absence which is requested for the following reasons will not be authorised:
- Relatives coming to visit
- Cheaper holidays in England or abroad
- Family day trips
- Visiting family/friends who have different half terms or holidays
- Shopping
- Birthday treats
- Availability of cheap holidays/flights
- Availability of desired accommodation
- Poor weather experienced in school holiday periods
- Extended leave to visit family abroad during term time
It would not be expected that ‘exceptional’ circumstances would occur more than once during a child’ time at school.
Parents who take their children out of school without permission could be issued with a penalty notice from the local authority. If a penalty notice is left unpaid, this could result in a prosecution through the courts.
We reserve the right to arrange an appointment with educational welfare officer should we believe it necessary.
If you wish your child to be absent from school, please complete this form and return it to school at least two weeks before the intended absence.
