Request for Leave
Parents and carers can apply for exceptional leave by completing the online request form.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and will normally only be approved where circumstances are genuinely exceptional.
Exceptional circumstances are expected to be of unique and significant educational, emotional or spiritual value to the child, which outweigh the impact of missed learning time. Leave should not be taken until confirmation of approval has been received from the school.
Requests should be submitted at least one month in advance, with clear details of the intended dates of absence and expected return date. Absence beyond an agreed return date will be unauthorised.
Leave during term time is not normally authorised.
Requests are considered individually and will usually only be approved where circumstances are genuinely exceptional.
Penalty Notices
Penalty notices can be issued where a pupil’s absence has not been authorised by the school. A penalty notice may be issued to each parent for each child liable for the offence.
- First offence
- The first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of a particular pupil will be charged at £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
- Second offence (within 3 years)
- A second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil is charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days.
- Further offences (within 3 years)
- A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of the first. If the threshold is met for a third or subsequent time within 3 years, alternative legal intervention will be taken, which may include cases being presented straight to a Magistrates’ Court.