WHICKHAM SCHOOL & SPORTS COLLEGE
WHICKHAM SCHOOL & SPORTS COLLEGE REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME (YEARS 7-13)
* Please submit this form to the relevant Head of Year at least four weeks before the intended leave of absence. Your request will be considered and you will receive a letter within 8 school days of receipt. * If you wish to send your form electronically please email it to [email protected] with the subject title 'Student LOA'. * Please read the guidance notes on page 2 of this form before completing the LOA request. FULL NAME OF STUDENT
TUTOR GROUP
FULL NAME OF PARENT / CARER
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
FIRST DATE OF ABSENCE
LAST DAY OF ABSENCE
NUMBER OF DAYS ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL
HAS A REQUEST FOR LOA BEEN MADE FOR A SIBLING FOR THIS PERIOD Yes No
Reason for request for leave of absence during school term time:
SIGNED (parent or carer)
DATE
* IF YOUR REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE IS 'NOT APPROVED' AND YOU DECIDE TO TAKE YOUR CHILD / CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THIS PERIOD YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO A PENALTY NOTICE ISSUED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY ON YOUR RETURN, CURRENTLY £60 PER CHILD. * A LEAFLET ISSUED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY IN RESPONSE TO PARENTS TAKING THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL DURING TERM TIME IS ATTACHED TO THIS FORM AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE.
THE FOLLOWING PART IS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE HEAD OF YEAR AND HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL / LOWER SCHOOL / 6TH FORM STUDENT ATTENDANCE OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS
Details of any other requests for leave of absence in school term time:
HAVING CONSIDERED THE REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE THE DECISION IS: APPROVED (The absence will be recorded as authorised NOT APPROVED (The absence will be recorded as unauthorised) EXPLANATORY NOTES:
SIGNED ASSISTANT HEADTEACHER:
Date
GUIDANCE NOTES (Please read before completing this form) In line with Government guidance, holiday leave of absence will only be granted under special circumstances. Permission will not be granted: * If the student is due to take an examination during the period of the leave of absence * If the student already has less than 95% attendance * If the leave of absence is requested in the first four weeks of September In making the decision about the leave of absence, the school will consider the number of days of requested leave which have previously been requested.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SEPARATE FORMS SHOULD BE COMPLETED FOR EVERY CHILD WHERE THERE ARE SIBLINGS REQUESTING LOA.
Did you know… If children are taken out of school for a two week holiday every year and have an average number of days off for sickness and appointments by the time they leave at 16 they will have missed a year of school.
Requests for Holidays in term time You must always fill in a form to request holiday absence from school in advance to see permission from your child’s Head Teacher.
If you would like further help or information about holidays in term time or any other issues relating to school attendance please contact:
The Behaviour and Attendance Improvement Team
Behaviour and Attendance Improvement Team Dryden Centre Evistones Road Gateshead NE9 5UR
Holidays in Term Time
0191 433 8758 www.gateshead.gov.uk Your child’s school will be able to provide you with the name of Education Welfare Officer who covers your area.
If you do decide to apply for a holiday in term time it is important to avoid: • Periods close to or during examinations/ test • Revision periods • Transition points such as Induction Week for secondary school • The beginning of terms or school years • Time during the first year at a new school.
Produced by Gateshead Council. March 2013
Information for Parents and Carers
Term Time Holidays
What The Law Says
Many parents or carers ask if they can take their children out of school during term time to take them away on holiday.
Under current law, parents/carers do not have a legal right to take their child out of school for holidays during term time. They must apply to school’s Head Teacher.
It is important that parents/carers carefully consider the implications of their child missing one or more weeks of school for a holiday during term time:• Your child may miss important educational experiences such as the start of new topics. • Preparation and revision for exams and tests may be affected. • Your child may find it difficult to catch up with work that is missed.
The Head Teacher can grant up to 10 days authorised holiday in any one school year but only where there are special circumstances for the request, and an application has been made in advance by the parent/carer with whom the child normally resides. When deciding whether to allow parents or carers to take their child out of school for a holiday in term time the Head Teacher will consider factors such as
• Some children may find it difficult to get back into their friendship groups after a break.
• The child’s attendance record
• You may be giving your child the unspoken message that school is not important.
• Holidays which have previously been requested
• Tests, exams or deadlines for assignments may be missed. • Your child may miss out on attendance rewards and initiatives run by school and the Local Authority.
Any absence in term time destroys the continuity of a child’s education and reduces their chances of success.
• The number of days requested
• Whether SATS or other exams are coming up • What the special circumstances are for the request. If you take your child on holiday in term without permission of your child’s Head Teacher, or when permission has been asked for but not given, it will be marked as on unauthorised absence on the school register and noted in you child’s records.
This may result in a Penalty Notice being issued, or legal action being taken against you. If permission is granted but your child fails to return by the agreed date, the school may consider removing your child from the school roll after consultation with the Local Authority, unless their absence can be explained.
Penalty Notice Penalty Notices are issues by the local Authority where parents fail to fulfil their legal responsibility to ensure their child’s regular school attendance. This is a penalty of £60, when payment is made within 28 days, increasing to £120 after 28 days. Failure to pay within 42 days results in the case being referred to the Magistrates Court.
* Please submit this form to the relevant Head of Year at least four weeks before the intended leave of absence. Your request will be considered and you will receive a letter within 8 school days of receipt. * If you wish to send your form electronically please email it to [email protected] with the subject title 'Student LOA'. * Please read the guidance notes on page 2 of this form before completing the LOA request. FULL NAME OF STUDENT
TUTOR GROUP
FULL NAME OF PARENT / CARER
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
FIRST DATE OF ABSENCE
LAST DAY OF ABSENCE
NUMBER OF DAYS ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL
HAS A REQUEST FOR LOA BEEN MADE FOR A SIBLING FOR THIS PERIOD Yes No
Reason for request for leave of absence during school term time:
SIGNED (parent or carer)
DATE
* IF YOUR REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE IS 'NOT APPROVED' AND YOU DECIDE TO TAKE YOUR CHILD / CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THIS PERIOD YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO A PENALTY NOTICE ISSUED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY ON YOUR RETURN, CURRENTLY £60 PER CHILD. * A LEAFLET ISSUED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY IN RESPONSE TO PARENTS TAKING THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL DURING TERM TIME IS ATTACHED TO THIS FORM AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE.
THE FOLLOWING PART IS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE HEAD OF YEAR AND HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL / LOWER SCHOOL / 6TH FORM STUDENT ATTENDANCE OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS
Details of any other requests for leave of absence in school term time:
HAVING CONSIDERED THE REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE THE DECISION IS: APPROVED (The absence will be recorded as authorised NOT APPROVED (The absence will be recorded as unauthorised) EXPLANATORY NOTES:
SIGNED ASSISTANT HEADTEACHER:
Date
GUIDANCE NOTES (Please read before completing this form) In line with Government guidance, holiday leave of absence will only be granted under special circumstances. Permission will not be granted: * If the student is due to take an examination during the period of the leave of absence * If the student already has less than 95% attendance * If the leave of absence is requested in the first four weeks of September In making the decision about the leave of absence, the school will consider the number of days of requested leave which have previously been requested.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SEPARATE FORMS SHOULD BE COMPLETED FOR EVERY CHILD WHERE THERE ARE SIBLINGS REQUESTING LOA.
Did you know… If children are taken out of school for a two week holiday every year and have an average number of days off for sickness and appointments by the time they leave at 16 they will have missed a year of school.
Requests for Holidays in term time You must always fill in a form to request holiday absence from school in advance to see permission from your child’s Head Teacher.
If you would like further help or information about holidays in term time or any other issues relating to school attendance please contact:
The Behaviour and Attendance Improvement Team
Behaviour and Attendance Improvement Team Dryden Centre Evistones Road Gateshead NE9 5UR
Holidays in Term Time
0191 433 8758 www.gateshead.gov.uk Your child’s school will be able to provide you with the name of Education Welfare Officer who covers your area.
If you do decide to apply for a holiday in term time it is important to avoid: • Periods close to or during examinations/ test • Revision periods • Transition points such as Induction Week for secondary school • The beginning of terms or school years • Time during the first year at a new school.
Produced by Gateshead Council. March 2013
Information for Parents and Carers
Term Time Holidays
What The Law Says
Many parents or carers ask if they can take their children out of school during term time to take them away on holiday.
Under current law, parents/carers do not have a legal right to take their child out of school for holidays during term time. They must apply to school’s Head Teacher.
It is important that parents/carers carefully consider the implications of their child missing one or more weeks of school for a holiday during term time:• Your child may miss important educational experiences such as the start of new topics. • Preparation and revision for exams and tests may be affected. • Your child may find it difficult to catch up with work that is missed.
The Head Teacher can grant up to 10 days authorised holiday in any one school year but only where there are special circumstances for the request, and an application has been made in advance by the parent/carer with whom the child normally resides. When deciding whether to allow parents or carers to take their child out of school for a holiday in term time the Head Teacher will consider factors such as
• Some children may find it difficult to get back into their friendship groups after a break.
• The child’s attendance record
• You may be giving your child the unspoken message that school is not important.
• Holidays which have previously been requested
• Tests, exams or deadlines for assignments may be missed. • Your child may miss out on attendance rewards and initiatives run by school and the Local Authority.
Any absence in term time destroys the continuity of a child’s education and reduces their chances of success.
• The number of days requested
• Whether SATS or other exams are coming up • What the special circumstances are for the request. If you take your child on holiday in term without permission of your child’s Head Teacher, or when permission has been asked for but not given, it will be marked as on unauthorised absence on the school register and noted in you child’s records.
This may result in a Penalty Notice being issued, or legal action being taken against you. If permission is granted but your child fails to return by the agreed date, the school may consider removing your child from the school roll after consultation with the Local Authority, unless their absence can be explained.
Penalty Notice Penalty Notices are issues by the local Authority where parents fail to fulfil their legal responsibility to ensure their child’s regular school attendance. This is a penalty of £60, when payment is made within 28 days, increasing to £120 after 28 days. Failure to pay within 42 days results in the case being referred to the Magistrates Court.
