Leave of Absence Request

Guidance Notes for Parents requesting Leave in Term Time

1. Parents who want the school to consider granting leave of absence in school term time should read these notes carefully, complete the attached form and send it to the head teacher. This form should be sent to the school in time for the request to be considered well before the desired period of absence.  Parents are strongly advised not to finalise any booking arrangements before receiving the school’s decision regarding their request. Head teachers cannot authorise any leave of absence unless the request is received before the period of absence begins.

2. The Department for Education makes it clear that head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Head teachers now also determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

3. There is no automatic right to any leave in term time.

4. Staffordshire County Council understands the challenges that some parents face when booking holidays particularly during school holidays. However, we believe that, in order to ensure children receive the best education and prospects, that they should be in school during term time.

5. Each case will be considered individually and on its own merits. Parents need, therefore, to consider very carefully before making any request for leave of absence.  In considering a request, the school will take account of:

• the exceptional circumstances stated that have given rise to the request
• the stage of the child’s education and progress and the effects of the requested absence on both elements
• frequency of similar requests
• whether the parent made the request in advance
• students/pupils on examination courses or due to take SATS will not normally be granted leave of absence.

6. Where parents have children in more than one school a separate request must be made to each school. The head teacher of each school will make their own decision based on the factors relating to the child at their school.  However head teachers may choose to liaise with each other as part of their decision-making process.

7. Should the school decide to grant leave of absence, but the child does not return to school at the time s/he was expected to (i.e. following the expiry of the granted leave of absence period) and no information is available to the school to explain/ justify the continuing absence, this absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

8. Should the school decide not to grant leave of absence and parents still take their child out of school, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised, which may be subject to a Penalty Notice fine. The first Penalty Notice for leave in term time will be £160 per parent per child, but can be reduced to £80 per parent per child* if paid within 21 days. If a second penalty notice is issued within three years of the first penalty notice, then this will be at a fixed rate of £160 per parent per child, with no reduction for early payment. A third penalty notice cannot be issued within the three-year period; therefore, the County Council will deal with any further unauthorised leave through prosecution in the Magistrates Court. If the parent is found guilty, the potential fine is up to £1000.

*Generally the DfE states that parents include all those with day to day responsibility for a child

The Local Authority will continue to monitor all school absences during term time and support head teachers in challenging parents who ignore the law.

Parental Leave Request Form (For Parents to Complete Prior to Booking Holidays)

Parental-request-for-leave-letter.docx

 Staffordshire Code of Conduct for Term Time Parental Leave

Code-of-Conduct-Final-Version.pdf