Requests for Leave of Absence
Since September 2013, Headteachers have been unable to grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are ‘exceptional circumstances’.
Requests should be made at least four weeks before the intended absence. Parents and carers should not risk making any arrangements before a school decision is made on their leave of absence request application.
The exceptional circumstances of the request must be given in writing on the correct form issued by the school office and consideration will be given to the individual circumstances and the time of school year, as well as the child’s attendance,
Where leave of absence is taken without authorisation, a referral will be made to the Educational Welfare Officer. If a child’s attendance is 95% or above for the previous 12 months prior to the leave of absence being taken, a warning letter will be issued. If a child’s attendance is below 95% for the previous 12 months prior to the leave of absence being taken, a penalty notice is likely to be issued to each parent or carer. Two warning letters will not be issued in any 12-month period as the second leave of absence request would result in a penalty notice.
The school will request that the Local Authority raises a penalty notice if unauthorised absence is taken at the following critical times:
- During September
- During testing periods (e.g. the Year 1 Phonics Screening Test or Year 6 SATs
Holiday Forms are available from the school’s office or use the below link to print:
