Holiday Requests
Biggin Hill Primary Academy’s Policy for family holidays during term time
The aim of this policy is to minimise the amount of time lost to term-time holidays in order to maximise the educational potential of every child. This can be achieved with the support of parents/carers by ensuring holidays in term time are not taken in school time unless there is exceptional circumstances. There are 177 days each year when your child is not in school. Absence for any reason during term time interrupts a child’s education and disrupts educational progress.
- Pupils who take 10 days’ leave during term-time can achieve only a maximum attendance of 94.7%, even if there are no other absences through the year. The government recommendation for all school pupils to achieve their potential is 97%+.
- Research suggests that children who are taken out of school during term-time may never catch up on work missed.
- Taking a school child out of school in term-time may give them the unspoken message that it is acceptable to be absent from school during term-time.
Regulations and Guidance
The law says that parents/carers do not have the right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Under the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006, head teachers have a discretionary power to authorise up to 10 days leave in each school year for the purpose of a family holiday in term time. Biggin Hill Primary School Academy will not routinely grant permission for holidays or extended holidays. Only in exceptional circumstances will permission be normally granted.
At Biggin Hill Primary School Academy, exceptional circumstances will be one of the following:
- Service personnel returning from a tour of duty abroad where it is evidenced the individual will not be in receipt of any leave in the near future that coincides with school holidays.
- Where an absence from school is recommended by a health professional as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue.
The pupil’s overall attendance pattern is also taken into consideration when considering the above. Written requests for holidays in term time must be made 6 weeks prior to the holiday. It is strongly advised that you do not book your holiday until approval has been given. Once a request for a holiday in term time is made parents/carers will be notified in writing of the decision.
Legal Implications:
Where a pupil is taken out of school for the purpose of a holiday in term time without the prior permission of the school for 10 sessions (5 days) or more, the parents/carers of the pupil may be issued with a penalty notice from the Education Welfare Service. The Penalty Notice can be £60 per parent per child payable within 21 days. If this is not paid it can rise to £120 payable within 28 days.
If you don’t pay the fine you may be prosecuted.
You could get a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence up to 3 months. The court also gives you a Parenting Order.
If you plan on taking your children out of school within term time please let Mrs Wilson know of the dates that you plan to do so by filling in the holiday request form and handing it in at the office.
Download the holiday request form:
