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Wexham School

Wexham School
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Requesting term time absence

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To request term time leave, parents must write a letter addressed to the Headteacher.

This letter must include following:

  • The name and form of your child
  • The dates you are requesting for leave
  • The reason to why you child requires this leave

Please refer to the section below for further guidance before requesting term time leave.

Important Changes in Attendance Regulations

The Government has recently changed the law with regard to granting term time leave of absence. From 1st September 2013, any holidays taken during term time will not be authorised by the school.

This means that from September 2013, schools may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Exceptional Circumstances does NOT include

  • Cheap holiday cost
  • Getting personal paperwork, visa’s updated (this should be planned into holiday periods)
  • Visiting relatives (this should be planned into holiday periods)

Exceptional Circumstances MAY include

  • Emergency service / forces  personnel with proof of enforced holiday period
  • One transcontinental leave request per Key Stage for a very significant extended family event, including seeing an elderly / seriously ill relative

Any time away from school can have a significant impact on educational attainment, success in later life and longer term health and well-being. In law, parents and carers are committing an offence if they fail to ensure the regular and punctual attendance of their child at school.

Therefore, any unauthorised absence in term time can result in the issuing of a Fixed Term Penalty Notice by the Education Attendance Service.