Attendance
Attendance
Our School Attendance Target is a minimum of 97%
In accordance with the national average, children in our school are expected to attend regularly and on time to a level of at least 96%, unless there are exceptional circumstances to consider.
School acknowledges that pupils may well be absent occasionally due to illness, sudden unforeseen circumstances or with prior permissions (obtained by a written request in advance) from the Headteacher.
Recently the Government amended key legislation relating specifically to authorisation of leave during term time. The Government has taken a firmer stance against parents who take their children out of school for a family holiday.
This policy is not to authorise family holidays during term-time.
Penalty Notices may be issued to each parent of a child in respect of a child being taken away on holiday in term time. The school term dates are shared with parents well in advance.
Pupils have 13 weeks leave from school each year and holidays should be planned and taken then.
A child's absence will be considered unauthorised when;
* Parents allow children to stay off school unnecessarily
* Children play truant
* Reasons for absence have not been satisfactorily explained
* Children who arrive too late at school to receive a mark without an acceptable reason, i.e. after registers have closed.
* Children are taken on holiday in term time
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING ATTENDANCE PLEASE SEE THE ATTENDANCE POLICY, A COPY OF WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE BELOW
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003
Our School Attendance Target is 97%
In accordance with the national average, children in our school are expected to attend regularly and on time to a level of at least 97%, unless there are exceptional circumstances to consider.
School acknowledges that pupils may well be absent occasionally due to illness, sudden unforeseen circumstances or with prior permissions (obtained by a written request in advance) from the Headteacher.
Recently the Government amended key legislation relating specifically to authorisation of leave during term time. The Government has taken a firmer stance against parents who take their children out of school for a family holiday.
This policy is not to authorise family holidays during term-time.
Penalty Notices may be issued to each parent of a child in respect of a child being taken away on holiday in term time. The school term dates are shared with parents well in advance.
Pupils have 13 weeks leave from school each year and holidays should be planned and taken then.
A child's absence will be considered unauthorised when;
* Parents allow children to stay off school unnecessarily
* Children play truant
* Reasons for absence have not been satisfactorily explained
* Children who arrive too late at school to receive a mark without an acceptable reason, i.e. after registers have closed.
* Children are taken on holiday in term time
Leave of Absence in Term Time
Information for parents and carers about taking their children out of school during term time.
Introduction
By law, parents and carers of children registered at school are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly. If they fail to do this they are guilty of an offence and may be given a penalty notice or prosecuted under section 444 of the Education Act 1996.
Children should attend school every day so that they make the most of the education available to them. We understand that there may be occasions when a child is unwell and is not able to come into school, but this should be kept to a minimum.
Parents and carers must avoid taking their children out of school during term time.
Authorisation for absence will not be given for absence during term time. Holidays should be taken during the school breaks and not during term time. However, in exceptional circumstances, permission may be given by the Head of School.
The Law
Amendments to the 2006 Education Act make clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
It is clear that parents and carers do not have any right to take a child out of school during term time except in the extenuating circumstances. In most cases the Headteacher will refuse to authorise term time leave, however, each case will be considered on its individual merits.
How we deal with requests for term-time absence
Holy Cross has a very strict policy about term time holidays. Our policy since 2013 is to refuse all applications for holidays during term time. As a school, we are no longer prepared to accept that our children will miss out on their education due to absence during term time. Children are at school for 190 days in the year. That leaves 175 days for holidays and other trips.
How to apply for special leave during term time
Please complete the Application for Leave of Absence during Term Time by asking one of the office staff for a copy. This must be done at least 2 weeks in advance of the date of the proposed leave. You should expect to hear from us within 5 working days. Term time holidays will not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances which might justify it. Each case will be considered on its individual merits
What are exceptional circumstances?
It is the decision of the Headteacher as to what might constitute exceptional circumstances and each request for term time leave will be considered on an individual basis.
Exceptional leave is NOT:
- Availability of cheap flights and/or holidays
- Availability of desired accommodation
- Parent/carer work commitments
- Poor weather experienced during school holiday periods
- Overlap with the beginning or end of term, half term.
Exceptional leave MAY be:
- Grandparent or other close relative is seriously ill – and you must leave in an emergency
- Significant trauma in the family recently and a holiday will benefit the child – this must be backed up by a doctor’s letter
- A one-off, never to be repeated occasion that can only happen at that time, eg family wedding/funeral.
What if we decide to go anyway?
If the Headteacher has not authorised the leave, and your child is out of school for between half a day and 10 days then you will receive a minimum fine of £60 per child. If your child remains out of school for more than 10 days then you risk losing your child’s place.
If the time out school makes your child’s attendance drop below 90%, then they are known as ‘persistently absent’. This means that the Government have given schools new powers to deal with this through the courts. This means facing possible prosecution.
Please don’t take your child out of school during term time, it disrupts your child’s learning and you risk financial penalties.
If we authorise your special leave
If we do authorise a leave of absence under exceptional circumstances, you must understand the educational impact upon your child.
If we do authorise your leave you will receive a copy of the signed form which confirms the dates when your child will be absent and the agreed date for return. It can only be signed only by the Headteacher. A copy will be kept in the file in the office for our records.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING ATTENDANCE PLEASE SEE THE ATTENDANCE POLICY, A COPY OF WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE BELOW
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003
For Holiday Dates, please see Holiday dates in Information for Parents section.