FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME

Advice for Parents from

Gloucestershire County Council, Education Welfare Service

Each year a number of children are absent because their parents take them away on holiday during term time.

A pupil's absence can seriously disrupt the continuity of their learning.  Not only do they miss the teaching provided on the days they are away; they are also less prepared for lessons upon their return.  There is a consequent risk of under achievement, which you and we must seek to avoid.

Many parents say that the time their child misses because of a holiday doesn't affect their school work.  However, a child who has 10 days holiday each year of their school life will miss 24 weeks (most of a year) of their formal education.  This is in addition to unavoidable absences - for instance, if your child is ill.

The school and Education Welfare Service are working together to promote high rates of attendance and will be operating the following procedure.

• Parents will have information about the school's policy regarding Family Holidays in Term Time.
• Parents who take their children on holiday without the absence being authorised by the school will receive a written warning that legal action may be taken if there are further unauthorised absences.
• If parents take their children on holiday without the absence being authorised a second time, the school will request that the Local Authority issue a Penalty Notice.
• In some circumstances, a Penalty Notice may be issued in respect of a first unauthorised absence; where a child would miss an exam or test for example.

Please do not ask for leave of absence for a family holiday in term time if you can possibly avoid it.  If you do have to ask for permission to take your child out of school for a holiday

• Try to avoid periods when your child is preparing for or taking examinations or important tests.
• Give at least two weeks' notice of any planned absence.

We will consider every request individually.  However, the most important consideration will be the effect that such an absence would have on your child's education.

Schools do not have to agree to absence for a holiday, although we have the power to do so.  We cannot and will not authorise absence for holidays in term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Reducing absence from school is a key priority nationally and locally because missing school damages a pupil's attainment levels, disrupts school routines and the learning of others and can leave a pupil vulnerable to anti-social behaviour and youth crime.  Above all, missing school seriously affects children's longer term life opportunties.