School Diary

C O N TA C T B O O K 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 1
What to do if… I want to take my child
on holiday during school time
TERM-TIME HOLIDAYS-THE FACTS
We recognise that it is often expensive to take a holiday during school
breaks and that is why some parents may ask for term-time leave for their
child. However it is important that parents carefully consider the implications
of taking their child out of school during term-time. Research suggests that children who
are taken out of school may never catch up on coursework they have missed. This may
affect test results and can be particularly harmful if the child is studying for final
examinations.
THE LAW
The law says that parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for holidays
during term-time. In exceptional circumstances, however, schools can allow parents to
take up to ten days in an academic year. If a child then stays away from school for more
than ten days this will be recorded as unauthorised leave. The school may also decide to
take the child off roll unless there is a good reason for the continued absence, such as
illness. In these circumstances the parent must tell the school about the reason for the
continued absence as soon as possible.
THE DECISION
When deciding whether to allow term-time leave, consideration is given to the following:
✱ The child's age
✱ The time and duration of the leave
✱ The child's attendance record
✱ Previous term-time leave.
WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
There are times during an academic year when a child may experience particular
problems because of term-time leave, such as:
✱ During the end of Key Stage 3 in Year 9
✱ During GCSE and other examination courses
✱ During the first year at a new School
✱ At the beginning of a new academic term.
If the school refuses a request for term-time leave and the child is still taken out of school
this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
NB. Forest Gate Community School strongly recommends that
students DO NOT take holidays during term -time.
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