Absence requests during term time

The school has the discretion to grant leave, but they should only do so in exceptional circumstances. If the Principal grants a leave request, it will be for them to determine the length of time that the child can be away from school. This leave is unlikely, however, to be granted for the purposes of a family holiday.

Exceptional circumstances include:

• When a family needs to spend time together because of an immediate family members bereavement, crisis or serious illness
• Funeral of immediate family member
• Religious observance
• Children of service personnel about to go on deployment (permission would be considered as long as the request is accompanied by a letter from the Commanding Officer)
• One day of absence could be authorised for a wedding of an immediate family member and the invitation has been provided as evidence
• One off sporting events/performing arts competitions, if the child is participating and is at county standard or above and a letter has been provided from the performing arts/sports regional governing body as evidence
• One day of absence could be authorised for an immediate family members graduation ceremony/passing out parade
• Medical appointments (parents/carers should be encouraged to arrange non-urgent medical appointments outside of school hours when possible. If the medical appointment is during the school day, evidence must be provided. Schools should not authorise a whole days absence for a medical appointment that occurs in the morning – the child would be expected to return to school in the afternoon, and vice versa.

Absence will not be authorised for reasons such as the following:

• To care for other family members
• Birthdays
• To interpret for other family members
• No school uniform/shoes
• Bullying
• Friendship problems
• Head lice
• Learning difficulties
• Family holiday
• Weddings abroad – regardless of whether it is for immediate family members
• Family Anniversaries
• Death of a pet
• Travel problems
• School refusal