Notes about Holidays
HOLIDAYS (A REMINDER FROM OUR BEHAVIOUR AND ATTENDANCE POLICY)
Time off school for family holidays is not a right. Parents are advised against taking holidays in term time especially during May and June when year 2 children will be taking part in statutory SATs testing. However, we are aware that some members of our rural community are unable to take their annual leave other than in term time.
Schools have discretion to allow up to 10 days absence in a school year for a family holiday if they believe the circumstances warrant it.
Schools may agree up to 10 days ‘holiday leave’ in special circumstances such as :-
1. For service personnel and other employees who are prevented from taking holidays outside term time if the holiday they will have minimal disruption to the pupil’s education; and
2. When a family needs to spend time together to support each other during a crisis.
3. Observance of a religious festival when the day is set apart by the parent’s religious body (not the parents). We would expect this to entail one day’s absence.
Holidays which are taken for the following reasons will not be authorised:
(i) Availability of cheap holidays
(ii) Availability of the desired accommodation
(iii) Poor weather experienced in school holiday periods
(iv) Overlap with beginning and end of term.
Whilst the application must be made by the parent(s) that the child normally resides with, there is no restriction on who the holiday is taken with. This is a matter for the parent(s) and not the school.
If your child is absent from school please telephone to let us know. We need to keep the school registers up to date every morning and afternoon. If your child is going to be late because of a doctors/dentist/medical appointment please also let us know so that this can be recorded correctly in the register and also if a school meal is required. Thank you.