Attending School

Holidays in Term Time

• General Information
• Requests for Leave of Absence
• Points to Remember

General Information

A growing number of children are taken out of school by their parents for holidays in term time. Whilst the reasons for this are understood, the detrimental effects of absence from school can not be over-emphasised. Although holidays may be cheaper during the school term, the harmful effects of the absence on your child's education can be far-reaching.

Parents are therefore asked to take family holidays in the periods when schools are closed, unless it is unavoidable. This is because the Local Authority believes that it is not in a child's best interest to be away from school at any time and so absence from school should be avoided at all costs.

This particularly applies during a year in which a child is due to take SAT's or GCSE's.

When considering an application for holidays in term-time, a school could refuse an application if the overall attendance of the child is poor.

The 10 days leave of absence allowed by the regulations applies only once each school year.

Requests for Leave of Absence

Governing bodies have the discretionary power to grant leave of absence to a pupil to take a family holiday during term time. The following points will be considered when the request for leave of absence is considered:

• The child's previous attendance history.
• The age of the child.
• The child's stage of education (is it a year in which tests or examinations are to be taken?).
• The time of year.
• The nature of the trip (is it an exceptional experience?).
• Whether the parents are genuinely restricted by their employer as to when their holidays may be taken.

Points to Remember

• A maximum of ten school days absence each school year may be requested.
• Holidays in term time must be discussed with the school, and permission obtained from the Governing Body, before they are taken.
• Holidays can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
• Absences for holidays taken without the prior permission of the school will be marked as 'unauthorised' absence in the register.
• No parent can demand leave of absence for a holiday as a right. Permission for the absence may not be given.

It is particularly important to avoid holiday's in term time during a year in which a child is due to take SAT's or GCSE examinations. No parent can demand leave of absence as a right, and permission must be sought from the school. Except for in exceptional circumstances, the period should not exceed 10 school days in any school year.

When considering an application for holidays in term-time, a school may refuse an application if the overall attendance of the child is poor.