Leave of Absence

 School Attendance Policy

 Parents requesting to take their child out of school during term time must complete a leave of absence request form (available on the school website and from the school office) prior to any planned absence. The reasons for the planned absence must be clearly stated, explaining why the planned absence is due to ‘exceptional circumstances.’ The school can only authorise leave of absence during term time for reasons that are ‘exceptional’.

The Education(Pupil Registration)(England)(Amendment) Regulations 2013 make it clear that headteachers should not grant approval for any leave of absence during term time, including holidays, unless there are in exceptional circumstances.

Parents submitting a leave of absence request form to the school, will be informed via letter of the schools decision as to whether the reasons stated are exceptional and leave of absence can be authorised. Where reasons stated are not considered exceptional, then leave of absence will not be authorised and parents will be informed via letter. The school will endeavour to inform parents of its decision no later than a week after the form is submitted.

Where a request for leave of absence from school is not authorised then parents may be issued with a Penalty Notice. If unpaid this could lead to prosecution under section 444(1) of The Education Act 1996.

Please note that from the 1^st September 2017, if requested, Derbyshire County Council will consider the issue of a penalty notice for any period of holiday absence which has not been authorised by the headteacher regardless of a child’s wider school attendance. Where a child is absent with no reason provided and the headteacher has grounds to believe that the child is on holiday the headteacher will challenge this absence and apply for a penalty notice to be issued.

If you wish to request leave of absence during term time, then a leave of absence form must be completed and returned to the school office. Leave of absence forms can be obtained from the school office or downloaded from the link below.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST FORM

	Download Advice_to_Parents_and_Carers_Reviewed_June_2012[1] (163KB)

 For the School Attendance Policy click here

Parents information leaflet