As stated in the September 2013 amendment to The Education (Student Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, ‘Leave of Absence during term time, can now only be authorised by the Principal, if they are satisfied, that there are exceptional circumstances that warrant the granting of leave when the students should be being educated’. Please see the Academy’s Attendance Policy for further information and procedure.
The current law does not allow parents/guardians to take their child out of school during term time for holidays. Parents can be fined for taking their compulsory school age child out of school during term time without consent from the Academy.
To make a request for Leave of Absence
- Complete and return the request form in full at least four weeks prior to the leave being taken and return to the Academy for approval
- The Academy will contact you to authorise/unauthorise the leave of absence request
What will happen if the request is refused but the leave of absence is still taken?
If the notice has not been paid in full by 28 days of receipt, the local authority must either prosecute or withdrawn the notice.
Once issued a Penalty Notice may only be withdrawn in the following circumstance:
- Proof has been established that it has been issued to the wrong person.
- The notice ought not to have been issued e.g. where it has been issued outside the terms of the Code of Conduct.
This prosecution is for the offence of failing to secure attendance at school not for non-payment of the fine.
Prosecutions are brought under S444 of the Education Act 1996.
Parents/carers need to be mindful that a conviction for this offence can result in a criminal record.
