Extended Leave of Absence and Observerence of Religious Holidays

Extended Leave of Absence from School

Information for Parents

Some facts about School Attendance

Schools are open 195 days per year. That leaves 170 other days for leisure time. If a child is absent from school for an average of one day per week they will miss TWO YEARS of education between Reception and Year 11 If a Secondary School student misses an average of one HALF day per week, they are likely to obtain a full grade lower in their GCSE’s than other students. Only schools can AUTHORISE absence. Unauthorised absence from school is called truancy and parents of pupils whose absence is not authorised can be guilty of a criminal offence and may be liable to either a Fixed Penalty Notice or Prosecution in the Magistrate’s Court.

‘Exceptional Circumstances’ does not mean

1. The opportunity for a cheap flight

2. Something that happens every year or other year

3. A longer than usual family holiday

4. Trips away with members of the extended family

The Law on Extended Leave from School

REGULATION 12 of SCHOOLS REGULATIONS 1981 states:

1. In pursuance of arrangements made by the Governing Body of the school, on application made by the parent, or other person having charge of a pupil, he may be granted leave of absence from school from the school to enable him to partake of an annual family holiday or go away on an annual holiday.

2. Save in exceptional circumstances, a pupil shall not in pursuance of this Regulation be granted more than two weeks leave of absence in any year.

This means:

Leave of Absence is NOT an entitlement and must be applied for in each case.

Head Teachers may grant leave of absence for more than 2 weeks, but only in ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Head Teachers will only grant leave of absence if the pupil’s education is unlikely to suffer

Parents may be breaking the law if their children take leave without permission

In some cases schools may take children who are absent without permission off roll.

Difficulties can be avoided if you:

Talk to school staff (Head Teacher or Class Teacher) BEFORE a decision to take leave is made and complete and submit an application form at least 6 weeks before the date of departure.

Are aware of particularly important times in the school year when your child should definitely be IN school (e.g. SATs, GSCEs, Mocks, Assessments etc; the first 2 weeks of any school year)

Take into account the educational needs of your child, any special needs they might have, the curriculum plan for the time you want to be away etc—and think about what absence from school might mean for their progress.

Look for advice on the DfES websites www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolattendance and www.parentscentre.gov.uk/everylessoncounts

Schools will help by:

Treating all requests for absence fairly using the Warwickshire Holiday Calculator to help decide when to authorise leave.

Taking into consideration your child’s

Current attendance
Time of year
Reason for the request
Attainment/progress
Learning needs

Making a prompt decision on your request (within 5 school days)

Explaining to you the potential consequences for your child(ren) of taking the leave requested

Seeking advice from the Education Social Work Service where there are disputes

For further information contact:-

Warwickshire Education Social Work Service

Myton Park,
Myton Lane,
Off Myton Lane,
Warwick
CV34 6PX
01926 414888

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