Old Town Infant School and Nursery
Part of Coastal Learning Partnership
Request for Leave of Absence
If pupils are to reach their potential they need to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Regular, uninterrupted school attendance is a key factor in helping pupils reach their potential. Every effort should always be made to avoid disruption to a pupil’s education.
Following amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, which came into effect on the 1st September 2013, schools cannot grant leave of absence from school unless there are exceptional circumstances.
In making a request for leave of absence from school in term time, you need to explain why the circumstances are exceptional – why can’t the activity be undertaken either at a weekend or within the normal school holiday periods. What amounts to exceptional circumstances is to be decided by the Headteacher. If you take your child out of school without permission, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. This may result in a request being made to the Local Authority to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice or being prosecuted on return.
From August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.
The decision as to whether any request is considered as ‘exceptional circumstances’ rests solely with the Head Teacher & attendance officer.
The fundamental principles for defining ‘exceptional’ are rare, significant, unavoidable and short; 'unavoidable' should be taken to mean an event that could not reasonably be scheduled at another time.
In considering whether or not to authorise a request for exceptional leave of absence in term time the Head Teacher will look at each individual case and only grant authorisation if the circumstances are truly exceptional. Additionally, any request should be made prior to the leave of absence and should be submitted to the school using the Request for Leave of Absence form. Parents/Carers may be asked to provide additional information/evidence or meet with the school to discuss the circumstances.
Parents/Carers will be notified of the Head Teacher’s decision at the earliest opportunity. If the circumstances are not considered to be exceptional then parents/carers will be informed of this and made aware that the Local Authority may be asked to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.