Leave of Absence

Pupil Leave of Absence in Term Time

Children should attend school every day, unless they are unwell. Taking your child out of school during term time will be detrimental to their learning.

Amendments to the 2006 Education Act make it clear that Head Teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

If you do decide to take your child out of school during term time, please complete the leave of absence request form which can be found on the Parent Portal. This must be done at least 2 weeks in advance of the date of the proposed leave.

Term time holidays will not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances which might justify it. It is the decision of the Head Teacher as to what might constitute exceptional circumstances and each request for term time leave will be considered on an individual basis.

The Local Authority has amended its Local Code of Conduct in respect of Penalty Notices issued for truancy, to include unauthorised pupil leave of absence in term time. If a pupil accumulates 10 or more sessions of unauthorised leave of absence within the previous 6 month period, the school must notify the Local Authority and a Penalty Notice will be issued to each parent for each child where that applies.

A penalty of £60 per parent will apply if paid within 21 days, or £120 if paid within 28 days. If after 28 days the penalty has not been paid, legal proceedings will be taken through the magistrates court for the unauthorised absence. Further information is provided in Wiltshire Council’s leaflet Penalty Notices for Unauthorised Leave of Absence During Term Time.

We hope you will work with us to ensure that wherever possible your child will not miss out on school activities due to leave of absence being taken in term time.