Holidays in term time

Every school day counts towards your child’s future. Days off school add up to lost learning. In total there are 175 non-school days a year. This gives families the opportunity to:

spend time together
go on family visits
go on holiday
go on days out
attend routine appointments

The law says that parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for holidays during term time except in exceptional circumstances. If you take your child on holiday during term-time without the school's authorisation this will be recorded as unauthorised absence and may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued.

Our Policy

We do not authorise holidays during term-time other than in exceptional circumstances. We do still ask though that parents apply for holidays in advance using a Holiday Request Form. Applications for authorisation due to exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis. Where holidays are taken, staff will not usually provide pupils with additional work, although possible activities could include hearing your child read and finding out about the place you are visiting.

Why shouldn’t I take my child on holiday during term time?

Many parents and carers think it is okay to go on holiday during term time, but this has a negative affect on their children’s learning and ability to achieve. If your child goes on holiday during term time, this affects their attendance:

10 days absence = 95% attendance
19 days absence = 90% attendance
29 days absence = 85% attendance
38 days absence = 80% attendance
47 days absence = 75% attendance

Children with over 90 per cent attendance are more likely to gain five or more A-C GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.

Requests for leave of absence for a family holiday

Amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 make clear that from September 2013, no holidays will be authorised by the school in term-time. Holidays in term-time will be recorded as unauthorised and will incur a fine, unless the below exceptional circumstances apply:

Where it is company/organisational policy for employees to take leave at a specific time in the year and there is no opportunity for a family holiday in any of the school holidays. This refers to full company close-down periods only and must be evidenced by the production of the policy document of the organisation.
Service personnel returning from/scheduled to embark upon a tour of duty abroad.
Other exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Principal.

To request a holiday in term-time, parents/carers must meet with the academy Principal or another designated Senior Leader to obtain a holiday request form and explain the reasons for taking the holiday.

What happens if the Principal does not agree my request?

Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classed as unauthorised and will attract an Educational Penalty Notice. A separate penalty notice will be issued to each parent for each child who has unauthorised absence. The penalty is £60 per parent per pupil and if not paid within 21 days this will increase to £120. Failure to pay the full amount within 28 days will result in a summons to appear in the Magistrates Court on the grounds that you have failed to ensure your child’s regular attendance at school.