Term Time Absence Requests

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

From the 19^th August 2024, the Government have introduced a new ‘National Framework for Penalty Notices’ which brings in some significant changes that parents and carers need to be aware of.

If your child has 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a rolling 10 week school period, you may be issued with a Penalty Notice. These 10 sessions can include any unauthorised absence, including term time holidays and do not have to be consecutive sessions or days.

• The fined amount for Penalty Notices is increasing to £160, per child, per parent, this can be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
• Any 2^nd Penalty Notice, to the same parent, for the same child, issued within 3 years of the 1^st Penalty Notice will be charged at £160 per child, per parent with no reduced fee.
• A 3^rd Penalty Notice WILL NOT be issued within a rolling 3 year period to the same parent for the same child. If further periods of unauthorised absence occur alternative action or legal measures will be used.

• In some circumstances, a ‘Notice to Improve’ may be issued, however this will only be in cases where support is appropriate. They will not be issued in cases of unauthorised term time absence for holidays.

Parents should always apply, in writing, using the S2 forms in advance of the absence. DfE guidance states that schools should not authorise leave retrospectively.

The Government has renewed appeals to parents not to take their children out of school during term time.  The Link Academy Trust and the Academy Head of this school support this and students will only be given permission to take leave in term time if there are exceptional circumstances. The DfE Guidance Working Together to Improve School Attendance (Feb 2024) states that: Generally, the DfE does not consider the need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance. (Paragraph 38.)

Each application for leave in term time will be considered on its own merits and if it is agreed and authorised the Headteacher will determine the duration of any leave. If the application is not agreed and the absence occurs the dates will be unauthorised. Parents will be notified of any decision in writing. This notification may be hand delivered directly to the parent, emailed to the parent or posted to the parents’ home address.