Requests for absence from school in exceptional circumstances and Penalty Notices.

You are required under the Education Act (1996) to ensure your child attends school regularly.  If your child accrues 10 consecutive sessions of unauthorised absence you will be liable for a penalty notice (1 day equals 2 sessions and a 5-day absence is equal to 10 sessions). A penalty notice will also be considered when there have been 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period.

An unauthorised absence is any absence that the Headteacher has not given permission for or where an explanation has not been provided by the parents.

If you are thinking of taking your child out of school parents must complete a Request for Absence in Exceptional Circumstances Form.  You must allow sufficient time to enable the school to consider the request and inform parents of the decision.

Where parents do not follow the school's procedure of submitting a request and simply remove their child without seeking prior approval, a warning may not be given and you will be liable for a penalty notice.

Exceptional circumstances could include:

• Service personnel returning from a tour of duty abroad, where it is evidenced the
  individual will not be in receipt of any leave in the near future that coincides with
  school holidays:
• Where an absence from school is recommended by a health professional as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue.
• The death or terminal illness of a person close to the family.
• To attend a wedding or funeral of a person close to the family.

Please note: Evidence would be required in each case.

If your request is declined or you do not follow the correct procedure and you still take your child out of school each parent within your household may be issued the following:

First offence - The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for term time leave or irregular attendance the amount will be £160 per parent per child paid within 28 days. Reduced to £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days.

Second offence (within three years) - The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for term time leave or irregular attendance, the amount will be £160 per parent per child within 28 days.

Third offence and any further offences (within three years) - The third time an offence is committed for term time leave or irregular attendance, a Penalty Notice will not be issued and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates' Court.

Magistrates' fines can be up to £2500 per parent per child. Cases found guilty in Magistrates' Court can show on the parent's future DBS certificates due to the 'failure to safeguard a child's education'

Full details about authorising absence from school can be found on the East Riding Council Website:

ERYC - HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME

Should you need to complete a request form you can download one below

	Absence from School for Exceptional Circumsatnce request form	[docx 66KB]
	Children Missing Education Leaflet	[pdf 432KB]