We love being part of your child’s life and want them in school with us every day. It’s an honour & a privilege to watch them grow… and it happens in a blink of an eye. We meticulously plan our curriculum so that it builds on prior learning & threads together various subjects to help children deepen their knowledge and appreciate how learning interweaves. Consistent attendance ensures the best chance at achieving the outstanding progress your child deserves. We are duty bound to remind all families of the legal framework surrounding term-time holidays and the issuing of penalty notices for unauthorised absences from the Local Authority.

Here is quick summary of the key points:

Leave Of Absence During Term Time

Legal Duties & Regulations

• Education Act 1996, Section 7: Parents must ensure their child receives a full-time education, either at school or otherwise.
• Section 444: Failure to ensure regular attendance can result in prosecution.
• Section 444B: Allows the local authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for unauthorised absences.
• Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006: Governs how schools manage attendance and absence records.

Term-Time Leave

• Holidays during term time are not authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances and where evidence has been submitted.
• Examples of exceptional cases include:
  • A parent or carer being deployed or returning from military service.
  • Serious illness or end-of-life situations involving a parent or carer.
  • A child being required to act as a carer for siblings due to family circumstances.

We understand that some employers may restrict when holidays can be taken, and that travel costs can vary significantly throughout the year. However, neither of these factors constitutes exceptional circumstances under Department for Education guidance and, therefore, cannot be considered as valid reasons for authorising term-time leave.

The decision to authorise or unauthorise an absence rests solely with the headteacher. Fines for unauthorised termtime absences are distributed from Lincolnshire County Council (not the school).

Penalty Notice Framework

• Magistrates’ fines can reach £2,500 per parent, per child, and may appear on a DBS certificate.
• Please be aware that there is no right of appeal against a penalty notice once it has been issued.

‘Application’ Process

• Please inform/submit requests at least 4 weeks in advance via email to adminoffice@claypoleprimary.org for the attention of Mr Wells (Headteacher)
• Only remove your child if the absence is authorised in writing. If the absence is unauthorised, Lincolnshire County Council will contact the family regarding the aboce penalty notice information.

The Department for Education (DfE) expects children to attend school every day that it is open - unless they are ill; and if your child is missing - without permission in advance from the headteacher - then families may risk a fine if the number of absent days breaches the threshold. The DfE says there has been a ‘worldwide rise’ in absence and persistent absence from school since the pandemic, which broke the habits of coming to lessons each week combined with other barriers such as mental ill health.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring that your child’s education remains a priority. If you believe your situation may meet the threshold for exceptional circumstances, please contact us in advance with your supporting documentation at adminoffice@claypoleprimary.org