Term Dates & Holidays

As of 1st September 2013 there has been a change in the School Attendance Regulations. Where there used to be the option for headteachers to grant leave of absence for the purpose of a family holiday during the term time in ‘special circumstances’ of up to ten days in a year, this has been removed. Headteachers are now only allowed to authorise any leave of absence when an application has been made in advance for an exceptional circumstance; the annual family holiday would not be deemed an exceptional circumstance.

Further correspondence was received from Shropshire Council in April 2025 explaining a tightening of rules regarding holidays in term time. Correspondence confirmed further changes to all unauthorised absences in term time, including late arrivals at school. School has to adhere to statutory guidance in the Department of Education document, "Working Together to Improve School Attendance” August 2024. In brief the following rules will be applied unless there is an exceptional circumstance.

• The Headteacher cannot authorise any family holiday unless there is an exceptional circumstance. The letter states that other difficulties at home do not constitute an exceptional circumstance.

• An unauthorised absence now includes late arrivals at school after the register has closed.

• 10 unauthorised absences (5 days as registers are taken both morning and afternoon) in any 10 school weeks (rolling period) will result in a fine being issued by the local authority.

• The fine is currently £80 per child and is applied to both parents who have taken the child on holiday. If not paid within 28 days, the fine doubles automatically to £160. If the fine remains unpaid the council will follow with court action. The headteacher does not have the authorisation to stop this process for any reason.

• Where a child is absent without a holiday form in place, the absence still counts as unauthorised. If it is claimed that the child was sick then school subsequently discovers that they were actually on holiday, we have to change the codes in our register to reflect the true reason for absence.

Generally, the DfE does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance. We share the frustrations of parents who are faced with exceptionally high holiday costs during school holidays, as teachers we have exactly the same issue. However, we have absolutely no choice but to comply with these rules.

Claire Morris

Headteacher