We authorise time off if immediate family are ill abroad or things like that. I think the reason less holidays are authorised is that often a kid will come in with a note saying they are going on holiday in 2 days time. Never going to be agreed but we obviously can't stop them.
I have known students to miss 2/3 weeks to visit Bangladesh or Pakistan and after a certain number of days the student will be taken off roll.
All are issued fines which i think were £50 per parent, per child.
As a school, we are continually badgered about attendance levels and what we are doing to improve them.
However, we are a secondary school and i accept that it is very different to primary. I dont believe a child should be removed from secondary education during termtime at all.
What the law says:
Quote Holidays during term time - what the law says
You should not normally take your child on holiday in term time - it can be disruptive both to your child's learning and to the school. Schools will only consider holidays in term time where both:
•the application is made to the headteacher in advance of the holiday by a parent the child normally lives with
•there are special reasons for needing to take the holiday, like the inflexibility of the parents’ holiday leave
Applications should be made as far in advance of the holiday as possible and you should speak to the school before you book. Schools will only agree to more than 10 school days of absence in any school year in exceptional circumstances.
How do schools consider term time holiday requests?
Schools will judge each holiday request individually, taking into consideration:
•the time of year for the proposed trip
•if it's close to any exam dates
•your child's overall attendance record
•any holidays already taken in the school year
•the age and stage of education of your child
•the ability of your child to catch up the work that they have missed
•the reason why you are taking the time off during term time
While absence may be granted for a holiday during term time, it is entirely the school’s decision and is not a parental right.
Penalty notices for unauthorised absence
You could be issued with a penalty notice if your child is absent from school without permission. Penalty notices can be issued by:
•local councils
•headteachers (including deputy and assistant heads authorised by them)
•the police
This can include parents who take their children on holiday during term time without getting authorisation from the school. The penalty is £50, rising to £100 if not paid within 28 days. If you fail to pay a penalty fine within 42 days you will be prosecuted.
'"
[urlhttp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_4016103[/url
