Leave of Absence During Term Time

Click here to download a Absence Request form - which must be completed BEFORE the date of absence

If you wish to take your child out of school during term time you must apply for permission in advance from the headteacher. This can be done by completing a 'Application for Leave of Absence' form which is available from the school office.

Over recent years the number of absences due to family holidays during term time had increased to an unacceptable number. The Local Authority now provide clear guidance about the circumstances under which the headteacher is allowed to grant permission for absence of leave. The school governors have adopted this guidance as school policy and the headteacher acts accordingly.

The headteacher takes every request into consideration and will make a decision according to the criteria given by Cambridgeshire Local Authority.

The details of the absence criteria are explained in the following statement issued by the local authority:

Holidays in term time

Absence during term time as a result of holidays interrupts continuity of teaching and learning, disrupts the educational progress of individual children and creates disruption in schools. Holiday requests will be refused, unless there are “exceptional circumstances”. For permission to be granted under this criteria, attendance over the previous twenty weeks would need to be over 95%.

Exceptional circumstances could include:

• A family member is seriously/terminally ill and the holiday proposed is likely to be the last such holiday
• There has been a death or significant trauma in the family and a holiday may help the child cope with the situation
• The holiday is a unique, one-off, never to be repeated occasion that is time limited.

The “financial advantages” and “family commitments” reason for a request would not be accepted under this criteria for permission.

The Application for Leave of Absence form provides space for 'exceptional circumstances' to be explained. Please make an appointment to speak to the headteacher if you would like to discuss these circumstances in person.

Permission for holiday absence will not be granted during SATS week which is usually at the beginning of May each year. Please look at the school diary pages to find out when SATS week is for this year.

Whilst we cannot prevent you from withdrawing your child from school, their absence will be recorded as “unauthorised” in the school register if you take them out of school without permission. The option available to schools to impose fines on parents will not be taken.

The Local Authority Educational Welfare Officer visits the school on a termly basis and monitors absences, including 'holiday' absences, of individuals and families. Unaccounted absence, recurring absence and extended periods away from school could result in the need to re-apply for a place in school.