Term Time Absence Request
School attendance regulations changed on the 1st September 2013 under Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 which was an amendment to the 2006 regulations.
The Amendments to the 2006 regulations removed references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Absence from school is disruptive to children’s education. It may also affect their social development. When requesting term time absence parents must adhere to the following procedure:
- Collect a ‘Request for Absence in Term Time’ form from the School Office.
- Complete the form including the date of return to school and the reason for the request.
- Return it to the School Office at least 10 school days before the start of the absence.
Following a request for term time absence, a member of the Senior Leadership Team may wish to interview parents. After consideration by the school, parents will receive notification of the school’s decision. The leave will only be approved in legitimate circumstances and only for the minimum amount of time.
Glebe School will NOT authorise a holiday during periods of national tests. If the Leave of Absence is not approved the absence will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, the school may take action to issue a fixed rate Education Penalty Notice. The Education Penalty Notice is a fixed fine of £60.00 if payment is made within 21 days. £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days. Failure to pay the fine may result in a criminal conviction and a fine in the Magistrate Court for up to £2,500.
A prolonged unauthorised absence may result in your child being removed from the school roll and / or a referral may be made to the Local Authority’s Early Intervention Team. If a child is taken off the school roll, parents would need to re-apply for a school place through the School Admissions Service at Harrow Civic Centre.