Diamond Wood Community Academy

Term Time Leave

I am writing to remind you of the changes that the government made in relation to the authorisation of family holidays and extended leave.  These changes came into effect on 1st September 2013.

The changes removed the right for Head Teachers to authorise family holidays and extended leave. This means that the only way that leave can be granted is if there are ‘exceptional’ circumstances.  Therefore, any holidays or extended leave taken in term time, deemed not to be ‘exceptional’, cannot be authorised.

Our school believes that children should not miss school in order to go on holidays in term time. Evidence shows that extended absence from schools can be damaging. It can result in insufficient coverage of the National Curriculum and children failing to achieve the expected levels.

It is well recognised that good, consistent attendance at school is important to a child or young person’s future prospects.

Penalty Notices

 Penalty Notices may be issued:

• If parents take their child out of school for a holiday in term-time
• If the Head Teacher has refused the request but the absence occurs anyway;
• If a pupil has not returned to school by the agreed date with no satisfactory explanation;

AND

• Where the absence has been recorded by the school as unauthorised in the attendance register on at least 10 sessions (5 school days) during the current term.

The Penalty Notice is for £60, for each parent of each child, if paid within 21 days, and £120 if paid between 22 and 28 days.