ABSENCE REQUESTS

In line with DfE guidance, schools are only able to authorise absence from school in exceptional circumstances.

In August  20204, the Department for Education (DfE) announced national changes to penalty notices issued for unauthorised absence in term time. There may be exceptional circumstances where you can ask to take your child out of school during term time.  Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, however a holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance and the vast majority of family holidays, if taken during term time, will be recorded as unauthorised.

The changes made by the DfE to be aware of are: 

• Penalty notices issued for offences that take place after 19 August 2024 will be charged at a new rate of £160 per parent per child. This can be paid at £80 if paid within 21 days. 
• Any second penalty notice issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3-year period will be issued at the rate of £160 per parent per child to be paid within 28 days with no option for a discounted rate.
• The threshold at which a penalty notice must be considered is set at 10 sessions (equivalent to 5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10-school week period. This may include absences as a result of arriving late after the register closes. The 10 school weeks may span different terms or school years.
• A maximum of 2 penalty notices may be issued to a parent for the same child within a rolling 3-year period, so at the 3rd (or subsequent) offence(s) another course of action will need to be considered (such as prosecution).
• Only penalty notices issued for absences taking place after 19 August 2024 will count towards the above thresholds. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any queries regarding this matter.

Request to authorise absence from school due to exceptional circumstances’ form