absence requests

The expectation that students will not take holidays in term time (and therefore not miss school) is a national expectation, rather than just of the school. Permission for leave may only be granted under exceptional circumstances.

Requests must be submitted to Mrs Ridley, Headteacher, prior to any firm booking or arrangements being made, and at least two weeks prior to the first day of planned absence.

Please see our Attendance page for detailed information about our attendance procedures.

Any unauthorised absence of 5 days (10 sessions, either taken at once or cumulative) or more is liable to the issue of a penalty notice by the Local Authority. On a student’s return to school after such absence the school is required to report this unauthorised absence to the Local Authority.

Amendments to the 2007 Regulations in the Education (Penalty Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 came into force on 1st September 2013. Timescales for paying a penalty notice have been reduced: parents must now pay £60 within 21 days or £120 within 28 days.

Please note that penalty notices are sent to each person with parental responsibility, and for each child absent from school. This means, for example, that the minimum cost of taking two children out of school for a holiday of 5 days or more could be £120 for each parent, making a total cost for the family of £240.

Click here for Wiltshire guidance about Penalty Notices for Holidays Taken in Term Time.