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Term Time Absence Requests

Term Time Absence Requests

Every minute of every school day is vital and pupils will only be granted authorised absence by the school in exceptional circumstances. A family holiday is not normally considered by the Government to be exceptional and therefore, no term time holidays will be authorised by the school.
 
 
Our school will only grant term time holidays or leave of absences in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances, we do not consider a family holiday exceptional. 
 
 

If a parent or carer wishes to request a period of leave of absence for their child, they are required to write to the Headteacher by completing the appropriate leave of absence form, which can be downloaded below or a copy can be obtained from the school office.

This should be done before any flights, holiday bookings or other arrangements are made.

 

There is no entitlement to time off in term time. 

 

A school can only grant Leave of Absence if

  • A request for leave of absence is submitted before leave is taken
  • And the Headteacher believes the reason is exceptional

If the request is denied, the school will inform the parent of the reason and the request will be noted.

Absence request form.docx

Absence which is taken and not authorised could be liable for a Fixed Penalty fine. If you receive a school absence penalty notice, you have 3 options

  • Option 1: Within 21 calendar days of receipt of the penalty notice, pay £60.
  • Option 2: Between 22 and 28 calendar days after receipt of the penalty notice, pay £120.
  • Option 3: Do not pay the penalty notice. In such cases, you will be automatically summoned to appear in court for an offence under Section 444(1) Education Act 1996.

If unauthorised leave is taken on a second occasion, fixed penalty notices will be issued again at £60 per parent, per child. Again the fine will double to £120 if not paid within 21 days. 

If unauthorised leave is taken on a third occasion, no Penalty Notice will be issued and that parent will be taken straight to Court under the higher-level aggravated offence.

This means that the parent may be subject to a much more severe penalty i.e. a maximum fine of up to £2,500 or 3 months in custody or, a community order which may involve them doing a number of hours of unpaid work. 

Further information regarding School Absence Penalty Notices can be found here on the Devon County Council website.