Holiday Booking

 

If you are thinking of taking your child out of school for a holiday during term time you need to know that changes have been made to the regulations. These changes came into force from 1^st September 2013.

 

Term-time holidays

 

The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 previously allowed head teachers to grant leave of absence for the purpose of a family holiday during term time in "special circumstances" of up to ten school days leave per year. Head teachers could also grant extended leave for more than ten school days in exceptional circumstances.

These changes mean that head teachers can not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Head teachers will determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

 

The Education (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2007

Changes have also been made to the 2007 Regulations in the Education (Penalty Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. These changes also came into force on 1 September 2013.

Penalty notices can be used where the pupil's absence has not been authorised by the school and fines imposed on parents. If a Penalty Notice is served, parents must, from 1 September 2013, pay £60 within 21 days or £120 within 28 days. This brings attendance penalty notices into line with other types of penalty notices and allows local authorities to act faster on prosecutions.

Please also find attached a letter from Anne Birch, Commissioner for Learning and Skills.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact school.

 

Headteacher

Letter From Anne Birch

 

Dear Parent/Carer

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced important changes to the law for families wanting to take holidays in term time.

 

Term-time holidays

 

The Education (Pupil Registration)(England) Regulations 2006 previously allowed head teachers to grant leave of absence for the purpose of a family holiday during term time in "special circumstances" of up to ten school days leave per year. Head teachers could also grant extended leave for more than ten school days in exceptional circumstances.

However, the changes make clear that head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time for holidays unless there are exceptional circumstances. Head teachers will now also determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted. Parents may receive a Penalty Notice from the Local Authority for taking their child out of school during term time without consent from the school. From September 2013 these Notices now cost £60 per child per parent if paid within 21 days and £120 if paid between 22 and 28 days.

 

In the academic year 2011 to 2012, 9.7% of all absences in England were due to parents taking their children out of school during term time. This high level of absence has led the Government to make this important change.

 

As a Local Authority we understand the challenges that some parents face when booking holidays, particularly during school holidays. However, we believe that, in order to ensure children receive the best education and prospects that they should be in school during term time.

The Local Authority will continue to monitor all school absences during term time and support head teachers in challenging parents that do ignore the law.

Further information can be obtained from www.dfe.qov.uk.

 

Anne Birch

Commissioner for Learning and Skills