Holidays in term time may be cheaper but your child's education is priceless.Every school day helps your child enjoy and achieve.
We know it can be more expensive to take a holiday during school breaks and as a result parents ask for term time holidays for their children. But research shows that children taken out of school may never catch up on work they have missed. It may affect their test results and the progress they make at school.
Did you know?
- The Law says that parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for holidays during term time.
- In exceptional circumstances schools can allow you to take your child out of class for up to 10 days in a school year.
- If your child stays away for longer than has been authorised this will be recorded as unauthorised absence and noted on your child's Record of Achievement.
- The school can also decide to withdraw your child's place from that school and this could result in you having to apply to a different school for your child.
You should consider:
- What it will mean for your child to miss lessons
- The problems your child might experience because you decide to take a holiday during term time, especially:-
- close to exams or tests, for example Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) in year two and nine
- during years 10 and 11 where your child is taking modular examinations
- during GCSE's (including mock exams)
- during the first year at a new school
- at the beginning of a new school term
- if your child is already having difficulties in school
- if your child has already missed school for other reasons
Your request:
If you decide to still make a request, which must be for the purpose of an annual family holiday, you should:
- Give one months' notice, where possible.
- Be a parent with whom the child normally resides.
- Agree not to make multiple or conflicting requests when applications are made by separated parents or other relatives such as grandparents. This will not be considered a reason to ask for additional holidays in term time.
The decision:
Only the Headteacher at your child's school, at his or her discretion, can authorise these holidays.
The Headteacher will consider:
- Your child's age
- Time and length of leave requested
- Your child's record of attendance
- Any previous term time leave
If the Headteacher refuses your request for term time leave and you still take your child out of school this will be recorded as unauthorised absence and it will be noted on your child's Record of Achievement.
In these circumstances the school is required to inform the Education Welfare Service. The Attendance and Welfare Manager will consider ALL the circumstances and a Penalty Notice may be issued. A Penalty Notice is a fine of £60, if paid between 1-28 days after issue, increasing to £120 if paid between 29-42 days. Penalty Notices are issued to parents for each child taken out of school for an unauthorised holiday.
