To achieve their best, students must be on time and in school on a school day unless there is a valid reason
Excellent attendance leads to excellent progress and achievements
If known beforehand that students are going to be away from school, please bring an appointment card or a letter for the Form Tutor giving the reasons and dates
Remember that the Form Tutor and the attendance coordinator will investigate unexplained absences. This can lead to a student being placed on a persistent absence list, involvement with the Educational Welfare Service, £60 fixed penalty fines and ultimately parents being sent to court and fined at least £120.
As a result, Head Teachers can no longer allow any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. This means that holidays in term time will not be authorised and will be marked as an unauthorised absence in the school register.
Unauthorised absences may result in a Penalty Notice being issued under the provisions of the Education Act 1996 (as amended) which means that you will be fined for your child’s absence.
Note: Payment of a Penalty Notice (from September 2013), if paid within 21 days, is £60. If you do not pay within 21 days the fine is increased to £120 and you have a further 7 days to make this payment in full.
Non-payment of a Penalty Notice within the total 28-day period could result in the commencement of criminal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996.
Please note the following:
Read the formal letter from Leeds City Council regarding taking time off school in term time