The Education Act (1996) requires parents to ensure their child attends school regularly. There is no automatic right to take your child out of school during term time. The Law does however allow the Executive Headteacher to consider individual requests to authorise a Leave of Absence in exceptional circumstance(s).
The Executive Headteacher must be satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to justify an authorised absence. It is the parents’ responsibility when submitting the request to provide all the information and evidence to prove exceptional circumstances.
The request for authorised Leave of Absence must be made at least two weeks in advance and the Executive Headteacher may invite the parent/carer(s) into school to discuss the request before a decision is made.
If the Executive Headteacher authorises the Leave of Absence it is expected that the child’s attendance will be of a satisfactory level both prior and after the date covered by the request.
If the Executive Headteacher refuses Leave of Absence and the absence is recorded as unauthorised, the Executive Headteacher may refer the matter to the Local Authority requesting that a Penalty Notice be issued.
For a first offence, the Penalty Notice will be £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days rising to £160 if paid after the 21 days – it must be paid within 28 days.
For a second offence, the amount is £160 per parent per child to be paid within 28 days.
Please note that a third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent for the same child within three years of the date of issue of the first. Prosecution / other interventions will be considered (you should also be aware that a penalty notice can be issued individually to each parent in respect of a child) failure to pay may result in prosecution before your local Magistrates Court.
Research suggests that children who are absent from School may never catch up on the learning they have missed, which may ultimately affect exam and test results. As a parent/carer, you can demonstrate your commitment to your child’s education by not allowing your child to miss school for anything other than an exceptional and unavoidable reason.
For queries relating to Leave of Absence requests please contact:
Astley– Mrs Gould, Attendance Officer, 0191 2371505
Seaton Sluice / Whytrig – Miss Prior, Attendance Officer, 0191 2370629
Leave of Absence During Term Time