Leave of Absence Request Form

Leave of Absence During Term-Time

The law does not grant parents an automatic right to take their child out of school during term time. The Department for Education states that a headteacher can only consider authorising a leave of absence in term time in “exceptional circumstances”.

If the holiday is not considered to be an exceptional circumstance, and you nevertheless take your child out of school for the leave of absence this will be recorded as unauthorised leave. It is important that we follow our duty and inform you that all unauthorised absences, including holidays that have not been sanctioned by the headteacher, are accumulated and parents/carers who fail to ensure regular attendance of their children at school can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996. The amount is £80 (per parent/carer per child) if paid within 21 days; and £160 (per parent per child) if paid between 21 and 28 days. Failure to pay a Penalty Notice will result in prosecution, except in limited circumstances.

Parents/Carers need to request a leave of absence by completing the form below at least 7 days before the start of the holiday.

Please complete this form for each child that the request is made for.