Parents/carers must obtain the school’s permission before making any arrangements for leave in exceptional circumstances, otherwise the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.  No parent/carer can demand leave of absence as of right.

The following are examples of the criteria for leave of absence, which may be considered as ‘exceptional’:

• Service personnel returning from active deployment
• Where inflexibility of the parents’ leave or working arrangement is part of the organisational or company policy. This would need to be evidenced by the production or confirmation from the organisation/company and produced at the time of making the application for leave of absence
• Where leave is recommended as part of a parents’ or child’s rehabilitation from medical or emotional problems. Evidence must be provided.
• When a family needs to spend time together to support each other during or after a crisis

This is not an exhaustive list and Headteachers must consider the individual circumstances of each case when making a decision on this matter. Where a Headteacher feels that there may be exceptional circumstances which do not fit the criteria, they may refer to the local authority for advice.

Please note: The regulations state that Headteachers would not be expected to class any term time holiday as exceptional. Affordability of holidays cannot be classed as exceptional circumstances.

The decision of the Headteacher is final. Parents who take a child on leave in term time without the permission of the school risk being issued with a penalty notice fine for unauthorised absences.

Taking a pupil on leave during term time interrupts teaching and learning and can disrupt educational progress. While presence does not automatically result in greater achievement, if pupils are not present, there is no potential to progress and associated impacts in catching up.

Please click here to complete the pupil leave of absence application form.