Exceptional Circumstances

There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off school for a Leave of Absence. However, no policy can cover all contingencies, the complexities of family life or individual circumstances and there may be Exceptional Circumstances surrounding your request for a leave of absence. 

These may include death of a close family member, a funeral, a visa application, a regulated performance that your child is performing in, an examination or an interview for a new school. 

Should this exceptional circumstance require travel abroad, the leave of absence may be partially authorised to include a day for travel, the day of the event and a day to travel back to the UK. All other days will be Unauthorised.

All applications for leave must be made in advance by filling in a Leave of Absence request form which is available from the school office.  In making a decision, the Attendance Lead will consider the circumstances of each application individually, including any previous pattern of leave in term time. You may also be asked to provide evidence in support of these requests. 

Any Leave of Absence taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classed as a Unauthorised.  This could result in parents being issued with a penalty notice or, in some circumstances, your child being removed from the school roll. 

For more information on Penalty Notices, please click here.

 

Holidays in term time

Any leave of absence in term time affects children’s schooling as much as any other absence and the school expects parents to support their child's education by not taking their children away on holiday during school time.

No Leave of Absence requests for holidays in term time will be Authorised. 

Any Leave of Absence taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classed as a 'U' code (Unauthorised).  This could result in parents being issued with a penalty notice or in some circumstances, your child being removed from the school roll. 

For more information on Penalty Notices, please click here.

 

Outcome of requests

Parents and carers will receive a letter in response to their Leave of Absence in Term Time for Exceptional Circumstances via email and/or MCAS.