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Term dates

Holidays in term time

Missing school for any reason is likely to deprive a child of educational opportunities and hamper their progress at school. Although we acknowledge that parents may sometimes prefer to take holidays outside of school holidays this has to be balanced against the effect on pupils’ progress at school.

From September 2013, the government has abolished the right of head teachers to authorise absence for any reason other than for exceptional circumstances.

There is no specific guidance on exactly what would qualify as “exceptional circumstances,” but there are indications that the definition refers only to the following circumstances:

It would not include (this list is not exhaustive):

The effect of these changes means that the government expects it to be extremely unusual for leave of absence, including for holidays in term time, to be permitted by schools.

Both the school and the Local Authority take the issue of school attendance very seriously and parents should be aware that where a leave of absence is taken during term time without permission, they may be issued with Education Penalty Notice fines of £60.00, if paid within 28 days, rising to £120.00 per parent per child by the Local Authority.

It is our policy to work in partnership with parents and we hope that, within the Governments very strict guidelines, we can achieve a reasonable balance of excellent attendance and a sympathetic approach to family circumstances.