Education and Learning

Parents are discouraged from taking family holidays during term time.

Between September 2008 and Easter 2009 more than 61,000 days of education were lost due to parents in the district taking their children out of school for family holidays during term time. As a result, families who take holiday without the school’s permission during term time will be in danger of being issued with a Penalty Notice.

Schools have been asked to contact the Education Social Work Team when pupils who already have a poor attendance record are taken on holiday during term time without the permission of the school.

Parents and carers are legally responsible for ensuring their children attend school regularly and schools are responsible for making sure they receive a good education. It is important that children and young people regularly attend school because every school day counts.

Parents can demonstrate their commitment to their child’s education by not taking them out of school in term time for holidays.

Each case is being carefully assessed and, if attendance is already poor and the family has broken the rules on holiday in term time, they could face a £50 Penalty Notice. Families must pay this within 28 days. If it is not paid within the timescale, the figure rises to £100 and they have a further 14 days to pay. If the Penalty Notice is still not paid, the matter is taken to the Magistrates Court where they could be fined up to £2,500.

The rules are clear:

• Parents do not have a right to take their children out of school during term time. Head Teachers can grant up to 10 days leave of absence for the purpose of family holidays but only in exceptional circumstances.
• Families must seek permission from the school before taking their children on holiday.
• Before granting a request for a holiday in term time a Head Teacher will consider, the time of year of the request and the duration of the leave of absence, the child’s attendance record and the child’s ability.
• If a family go on holiday without permission, their child’s absence will be unauthorised and the family may be fined up to £100 per parent per child.
• If a child does not return to school after leave of absence they could lose their place in the school which would mean the child would have to start a new school.

Click below for the School Term and Holiday Dates.