St Bartholomew's CE Primary

Considerate, Co-operative, Confident

Holidays in Term Time

 

 

Taking holidays in term time will affect your child’s schooling as much as any other absence and we expect parents to help us by not to take children away in school time.

Remember that any savings you think you may make by taking a holiday in school time are offset by the cost to your child’s education.

There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off in school time to go on holiday.

All applications for leave must be made in advance using the 'Holiday or Extended Leave Request”form from the school office and, at the discretion of the school, a maximum of 10 days in any academic year may be authorised, but only in 'special circumstances'. In making a decision the school will consider the circumstances of each application individually, including any previous pattern of leave in term time. 

Full details of our policy and procedures are available from the school, but it is important that you understand the circumstances when leave in term time will not be agreed by school:

·         When a pupil is just starting the school. This is very important as your child needs to settle into their new environment as quickly as possible.

 

·          Family holidays.

 

·         Immediately before and during assessment periods; dates of these will be provided at the start of each academic year

 

·         When a pupil’s attendance record already includes any level of unauthorised absence.

 

·         Where a pupil’s attendance rate is already below 95% or will fall to or below 95%as a result of taking holiday leave.

 

Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classed as unauthorised and may attract sanctions such as a Penalty Notice.

 

Extended Leave in Term Time:

 Only in 'exceptional' circumstances will 'leave' of over 10 days but no more than 20 days, be authorised by the school.  In certain circumstances, parents risk losing their child's place on the school roll if the pupil does not return to school on the agreed return date, and readmission cannot be guaranteed.  The specific circumstances which outline when a pupil can be removed from roll are laid out in Regulation 8 (1) (f) (i-iii) of The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 (Amended 2010)

Parents will be asked to attend a meeting to discuss educational opportunities for their child whilst on extended leave.

 

Religious Absence:

 The school will authorise one day 'leave' per religious festival, e.g. Eid, but no more than 3 days in any one academic year.  Parents must request this leave in advance.