Government Changes to regulations regarding holidays in term time
At FCC, we continually strive for the highest possible attendance for all of our students, setting a target of above 95%. It is clear that excellent attendance gives students the best possible chance of achieving their full potential. It is imperative that we do not become complacent about attendance, and are aiming to improve year on year.
Any request for term time absence will need to be completed on an Application for Absence Form which can be collected from Student Services.
Each case will be considered individually. Absence will only be authorised in specific circumstances. No retrospective approval can be granted. Failure to request permission for leave, or refusal to grant leave, will mean that the absence is un-authorised.
By law, there is no ‘entitlement’ or ‘allowance’ as of right. Any absence from school is authorised solely at the discretion of the Headteacher, within the framework of the new legislation coming into force from September 2013. The changes include:
Regulations from September 2013
Amendments to the 2006 regulations remove references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.
Below you will find some information, facts and figures regarding holiday requests, produced by the Attendance and Engagement Team at Oxfordshire County Council.
DID YOU KNOW that a student who takes a two week holiday (10 school days) during one academic year will only attain 94.7% attendance?
DID YOU KNOW that if a child is taken away for a two week holiday every year during term time and has an average number of days off for sickness and appointments, then by the time they leave at 16 they will have missed a year of school?
THEREFORE, EVERY DAY COUNTS!
Thank you for your continued support.