Holidays during term time

Taking leave in term time will affect your child’s schooling as much as any other absence and we expect parents to help us by not removing them from school.

Remember that any savings you think you may make by taking a holiday in school time are offset by the cost to your child’s education.

The law states that parents do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time.

Parents/Carers must give 4 weeks’ notice if they are applying for leave in term time.  A form can be obtained from the school office or downloaded from the link below.

Exceptional Circumstances will be considered by the school but only granted in very limited and exceptional circumstances.

A response to your request for leave will be sent via post/delivered by hand within 10 working days.

10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence could lead to a fixed penalty notice with fines of £60 per parent per child, rising to £120 per parent per child if not paid within 21 days.

Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed period, will be classed as unauthorised  

THE FACTS:

• Taking 10 days absence for family holidays in an academic year means that the maximum  attendance your child can achieve is 94.7% Flanshaw School expects all students will achieve a minimum attendance of 95%.
• If your child is also absent for 10 days unavoidable illness (a total of 20 days absence), their overall  attendance would drop to just 89.5%. A student with 90% or below will be identified as a “persistent absentee” and will trigger the Education Welfare Officer being involved.
• Two weeks absence means your child loses 60 hours of learning which they can never get back.
• Your child could  miss a whole topic that they will never revisit or learn.
• A 2 week holiday during term time every year equates to almost 2 full terms of education missed over their school career.
• Absence causes disruption  to other students and staff.
• Friendship groups change quickly and your child may not fit back in on their return.
• Teachers will not be able to spend  extra time or provide extra  work for a pupil who is taking an unauthorised absence.