Reminder for September

New regulations are in place for September 2013 regarding authorised absences in the future. This is the letter sent earlier on the term:

5th June 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

I have been asked to inform you of recent Amendments to the 2006 regulations in the

Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, and the Education (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2007.

These amendments will come into force on 1 September 2013.

Term-time holiday

The current regulations states that headteachers can grant requests from parents to take their child on family holiday during term time in “special” circumstances.

Amendments to the regulations now remove references to ‘family holiday’ and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that schools

‘may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional

circumstances’.

Head teachers must take into account the circumstances, such as: the nature of the event for which leave is sought; the frequency of the request; whether the parent gave advance notice; and the pupil’s attainment, attendance and ability to catch up on missed schooling. 

Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

“The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Any application for leave must be in exceptional circumstances and the headteacher must be satisfied that the circumstances warrant the granting of leave.

Parents can be fined for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school.” 

Yours sincerely,

V. A. Morris