By law parents do not have a right to take their children out of school for holidays during term time. You must ask permission for your child to miss school.  

The Prince of Wales School will consider every application individually; its policy is NOT to grant leave of absence for a holiday other than in the most exceptional circumstances.  Time off school for a family holiday is not a right.

An application must be made in writing, with appropriate evidence, in advance of the intended holiday.

The Prince of Wales School will consider authorising holidays for:

-Service personnel and other employees who are prevented from taking holidays during term time;
-When a family needs to spend time together to support each other during or after a crisis;
-Parents who are subject to a strict and un-negotiable holiday rota and evidence is provided to this effect.

Requests for holidays for the following reasons will not be authorised:

-cheaper cost of holiday;
-availability of the desired accommodation;
-poor weather experienced in school holiday periods;
-overlap with beginning or end of term; and
-during periods of national tests i.e. SATS

It is up to the headteacher to decide whether or not the absence will be authorised. Children’s present attendance levels will be taken into account when making a decision.  

The Prince of Wales School will respond to all requests for a leave of absence in writing giving the reasons for the decision.

Parents wishing to apply for their child to have leave from school should complete the following form which will be submitted to the school for authorisation well in advance of the proposed leave.  You will receive a response from the Headteacher whether this request has been approved or not.