A reminder of the information that was sent out at the beginning of last year regarding holiday leave.

As a school we recommend strongly that children are in school as often as possible so that they can get full access to their educational rights. Our level of attendance is good compared to many similar schools. We do however have a small number of children who have relatively low attendance rates.

Although I have sympathy with the economic reasons for taking holidays in term time holiday leave has a great effect on our attendance levels.

If a child misses 2 weeks a year from Reception to Year 6 that is the equivalent of more than a term lost. In national curriculum terms that time is worth a third to half a level of progress for that child. In terms of school it makes it more difficult for us to meet our targets for achievement.

Head Teachers have discretionary powers to grant leave of up to 10 days per year per child. This is not a right it is entirely at the discretion of the head.
This is known as authorised absence. Any holiday leave that has not been authorised or is over the 10 days authorisation will be regarded as unauthorised absence.
Any unauthorised absence has to be reported to the LEA and they will issue a fixed term penalty of £50 per child, per parent. (£100 if paid after 28 days).

During 2005/2006 we found ourselves in a position where a fixed term penalty was imposed due to a child taking unauthorised holiday absence and obviously we do not want to have to do so again.

Any child whose attendance is 85% or less in the course of the academic year or, in the autumn term, the preceding year will not be authorised for holiday leave.

Any leave over the number of days which been authorised will automatically be liable to a fixed penalty notice from the LEA.