F.A.Q.

What is authorised absence?

Once your child is registered at school he/she can only legally miss school in very limited circumstances. For example:

• When he/she is too ill to attend
• Family bereavement
• Emergency dental or medical appointments which cannot be arranged out of school hours
• Religious festival observance
• Attending off-site music or dance exams

What is an unauthorised absence?

Unauthorised absence is regarded as truancy.

For example:

• Taking your child shopping or missing school for any other activity for which there is no serious reason for the absence.
• Allowing your child to miss school for his/her or any other family member’s birthday.
• Family holiday in term time.
• Keeping your child away from school because a sibling’s school is closed for staff training or other purpose.

Will the school authorise a holiday if this can only be taken in term time, due to work commitments?

Government legislation with effect from 1st September 2013, states that head teachers can no longer authorise absence in term time. The recent Supreme Court Judgement clarifies that there is no automatic right to absence from school for the purposes of a holiday during term time and it remains the decision of the Headteacher as to whether absence is authorised or not.