The Cannon - December 2012 - Fort Pitt Grammar School

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THE CANNONPage 6Holiday Leave during term-timePermission for holidays in term-time should only be granted where:The parent can demonstrate that the reason for the holiday request satisfies exceptional circumstances and, in the judgement ofthe school, the benefit of the absence outweighs the benefit of attendance at school.Attendance of the pupil is more than 95% over the past year.The absence for the holiday does not occur during a time of academic importance such as GCSEs, A levels, end of yearexaminations (including oral tests), work experience, or any other school event deemed important to the learning of the pupil.A formal application must be made in writing;Only one period of leave should be granted for an annual holiday in an academic year. Requests for 10 days over severaldifferent periods will be declined.Reasonable notice must be given; 4 weeks would allow preparation of any work to be given, if appropriate.Retrospective permission should not be granted if sought.Only when these conditions are satisfied may authorisation of leave be considered.Leave will only be authorised by the Advisory Board in very exceptional circumstances.Should leave be agreed, it is expected that all work set by teachers will be completed during the student’s time away from school.SanctionsParents must be alerted to the consequences of taking holidays during term-time without permission from the Head teacher. In1996 DfES introduced new measures to tackle unauthorised absence. A Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued where a parenthas caused 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a school term. The evidence of a term-time holiday policy allows theAttendance and Punctuality Practitioner to issue a FPN without the need for any warning letters. The sanction is £50.00 if paidwithin 28 days of issue, £100.00 if paid within 42 days of issue and an automatic referral to the Magistrates court if not paid.This information relating to holidays during term time will be communicated to parents on an annual basis.Examples of requests and school’s likely decisionFunerals and other significant family eventsOnly family holiday having to be taken in term time becauseof one parent’s working arrangementsParticipation in sporting or artistic events not arranged by theschoolRehearsals for licensed pantomime or other theatricalperformancesHolidays to cater for significant family occasion abroad – e.g.weddingsFamily ski holidayAccompanying parent on business trip to France to improveFrenchAttendance at sporting events (e.g. Wimbledon) or localtheatre eventsWill authoriseWill authoriseWill consider authorisation depending on nature of eventand attendance record of studentWill consider authorisation depending on timing andattendance record of studentWill authorise all or some of the absence depending oncircumstances.Will not authoriseWill not authoriseWill not authorise
THE CANNONPage 7FORT PITT GRAMMAR SCHOOLScience & Mathematics CollegeFort Pitt Hill, Chatham,Kent ME4 6TJTel: 01634 842359 Fax: 01634 817386e-mail: office@fortpitt.medway.sch.ukHeadteacher: Mrs Carol A Winn, BEd (Hons), MA, NPQHOur ref: CAW/SP 17/12/2012Dear Parents / CarersAs we move into 2013 teachers, tutors and Student Support colleagues have become aware of an increasing number of studentswho are experiencing financial hardship; it would appear that families, like schools, are beginning to feel the effects of these times ofausterity.If your household income has been reduced for whatever reason the children in your home may be eligible for Free School Meals.The application process is confidential and can be accessed by completing a Free School Meals form which is attached to this letteror accessed from School Reception or the website.To be eligible to register for Free School Meals you must be in receipt of one or more of the following:Income SupportIncome-based Jobseekers’ AllowanceIncome-related Employment and Support AllowanceSupport under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999The Guarantee element of State Pension CreditChild Tax Credit provided that you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by H.M.Rthat does not exceed £16,190.Working Tax Credit “run-on” – the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying forTax CreditUnfortunately, you will not be entitled to apply for Free School Meals if:-You are in receipt of Working Tax CreditYou are not claiming any benefits at allYou have an annual income of more than £16,190Should you meet any of the eligibility criteria please seriously consider making an application; both your household AND the schoolwill benefit financially. The Government has pledged to offer additional funding to schools based on Free School Meal applications,money which can be used to maintain the quality of provision at Fort Pitt. The Government’s “Pupil Premium” could support studentsin meeting the cost of opportunities such as school trips or involvement in the enrichment programme or may be used for ICT support.If you are eligible or become eligible in the future to apply for Free School Meals I would encourage you to make an application.Completed application forms should be handed to or sent to Reception (for the attention of Mrs Parle) and will be treated in the strictestconfidence.Should you need any further information or advice regarding the completion of the form, please do not hesitate to contact a memberof Student Support or Mrs Parle, who oversees Free School Meals.Yours sincerelyMrs C A WinnHeadteacher
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The Cannon - December 2012 - Fort Pitt Grammar School

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