The Department of Educaton has issued guidance to schools and Local Authorities in relation to holidays/leave in term time and this policy reflects the requirements of this guidance.

The School Governing Body has authorised the Headteacher to act on its behalf in ensuring that the school fully complies with the requirements.

APPLICATIONS FOR HOLIDAY OR LEAVE IN TERM TIME

Any applications for leave in term time must be submitted at least 10 days in advance to the Headteacher.  Applications  received during or after a pupil has been on leave during term time cannot be considered and the absence will be unathorised.

Parents/Carers must provide supporting evidence of any exceptional circumstances and why the leave must be taken in term time instead of in the school holidays.  All applicaitons will be considered carefully, including how the pupil's educational progress could be affected. Where the request for leave involves travelling abroad parents are asked to produce the return tickets before leave is approved.  

HOLIDAY IN TERM TIME

The guidance from the Department fo Education states that applications from parents/carers for pupils to take leave in term time for the purpose of a holiday should not normally be authorised.  Parents/Carers are expected to arrange holidays during school holiday periods when children can enjoy them without their education being disrupted.  This position is fully supported by the Local Authority and the School Governing Body.

Any applicaitons for holidays in term time will be refused by the Headteacher unless there is evidence of very exceptional circumstances and of why the leave must be taken in term time instead of in the school holidays.

LEAVE IN TERM TIME FOR OTHER REASONS

Requests for leave in term time for other reasons can only be agreed in exceptional circumstances and for the shortest possible period.  The School Governing Body also expects applications for leave in term time other than for holidays to normally be refused.  However, in exceptional circumstances discretion may be appropriate, although this will very rarely happen and no more than 10 days will normally be agreed.

When considering an application for leave in term time for exceptional circumstances, the Headteacher must be convinced that:

(1)The exceptional circumstances are justified by supporting evidence provided by the parents/carers related to the circumstances and that the supporting evidence is valid;

and

(2)The evidence necessarily warrants the child being absent from school in term time does the child have to be absent in term time due to the circumstances or can it wait until the school holidays?

Taking of Unathorised leave in Term Time

Where parents/carers choose to take pupils on unathorised leave in term time then the pupil(s) will be referred to the Attendance Officer for follow up and consideration for action using the LBTH Penaly Notice Scheme to address Attendance related concerns.

A Penalty Notice may be served on an individual parent/carer per individual child basis when the child has had 6 sessions (3 days) of unauthorised leave in term time.  Where 2 parents/carers take 3 children on unathorised  leave in term time then they will receive 3 Penalty Notices of £60.00 each - £180.00 per parent and £360.00 in total.  There is no right of appeal.

LOSING THE SCHOOL PLACE

Parents are responsible for returning their child to school on time.  After 4 weeks (20 school days) of unauthorised absence, the pupil's name may be removed from the register.

Parents will then have to re-apply for admission when they return but it may not be possible for the pupil to return to this school.