Holidays in Term Time

In 1st September 2013 the Government rules changed in relation to holidays or trips during term time. We are no longer allowed to authorise leave for holidays or trips during term time.

Parents need to be aware that if their child is out of school for holidays or trips, legal action for unauthorised absences is taken.

• Each parent/carer will receive a Penalty Notice of £120.00 for each child. This will be reduced to £60.00 if paid within 21 days of the fine being issued.
• Any such Penalty Notice or prosecution may relate to your child’s attendance record both prior to and subsequence to this letter.
• Each parent/carer may receive a court summons, which may lead to a criminal record and a fine.
• Your child is also at risk of losing their school place.

Previously, we have authorised occasional holidays, but we are NO LONGER allowed to do this.  The Government have made it very clear that children have 13 weeks holidays from school to use to go away.

We all want the best for every child in our school. We appreciate your support in this matter.

Click here to view the Fixed Penalty Notice for

Unauthorised Absence leaflet

Authorised absences from school

The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1st September 2013, removes reference to holidays and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments now make it clear that head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless ‘exceptional circumstances’ exist.
Definitions of these circumstances do not exist within this legislation and in order to treat all requests fairly the Attendance Panel at Brunswick Primary use NAHT guidance that suggests the following as circumstances, which might be considered to be exceptional:

• Visits to seriously ill relatives
• Bereavement of a close family member is usually considered an exceptional circumstance but for the funeral service only, not extended leave
• Important religious observances are often taken into account but only for the ceremony and travelling time, not extended leave. This is intended for one off situations rather than regular or recurring events
• Wedding within the immediate family
• Service personnel returning from a long tour of duty
• Families needing time together to recover from trauma or crisis

When children can and can't miss school. Click here

Unauthorised absences from school - Fixed Penalty Notices

• Persistent late arrival at school (after the register has closed amounting to 10 more sessions in 10 weeks).
• Pupils whose attendance has not reached a satisfactory (90% attendance – 2015 threshold) level during a 6 week period following intensive support
• Where parents allow their child to be present in a public place during school hours without reasonable justification in a fixed term or permanent exclusion
• Penalty notices will be issued as a result of persistent absence as outlined the Brunswick Attendance policy.
• Penalty notices will be issued for all unauthorised holidays taken during term time

Click here to view the Circumstances When

Penalty Notices Can Be Issued leaflet

Read the Brighton and Hove Council attendance factsheet for parents and carers