Term Dates and School Holidays

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ATTENDANCE

FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME - CHANGES TO THE LAW

There is a concern nationally that children are being taken out of school to go on family holidays in term-time. The Government believes that children’s absence from school disrupts learning and undermines educational attainment and achievement. Changes in Government regulations, that you may have heard of in the press, mean that Headteachers are no longer be able to grant any leave of absence during term-time unless there are specific exceptional circumstances.

The amendment to the statutory instruments from the Government on attendance will impact on parents requesting a child to be absent from school due to a holiday. Absence will only be granted under exceptional circumstances. Any mention of family holidays has been omitted from the statutory regulations reinforcing that a family holiday is not considered an exceptional circumstance.

Taking a child on holiday without permission will be now be regarded as unauthorised absence. Parents who do so may lose their child’s school place at St. Matthew's and will be issued with a Penalty Notice by the local authority. The fine is £60 per parent, per child, if paid within 21 days or £120 if paid within 28 days of receipt of the Notice. Where a Penalty Notice remains unpaid after 28 days, the local authority will normally start legal proceedings in the Magistrates Court. Retrospective approval can no longer be given.

Please use the holiday dates below when booking holidays to make sure that you avoid term times.

You can find further information about our policy for pupil leave of absence by clicking on the document 'Pupil Leave of Absence' below.