Holidays during term time

They could cost more than you think! The Department for Education has renewed appeals to parents not to take their children out of school during term time. The Governors and Principal of Priorslee Primary Academy support this and have decided that children will only be given permission to take leave in term time if there are exceptional circumstances.

Did you know:

  • The law says that parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for holidays during term time.
  • Parents cannot demand leave of absence for the purpose of  holidays as a right.
  • The Governors do not have to authorise leave in term time other than in exceptional circumstances.
  • Unauthorised leave in term time could result in each parent receiving a Penalty Notice costing up to £120 for each child, or each parent could be taken to court.

The sample letters below (click to open) are the official letters issued to schools following the 1st of September 2013 change in legislation.

To request a holiday during term time parents are required to complete a LEAVE IN TERM TIME OR HOLIDAY REQUEST FORM

Parents will receive a refusal or (only in exceptional circumstances) a permission letter  Holiday refusal letter T&W

Following 5 days unauthorised absence for the purpose of a holiday during term time, the academy is required to issue a referral notice to the Attendance Support Team (AST) at Telford and Wrekin Council  AST Referral for penalty notice

Telford and Wrekin Council will then serve a Holiday Penalty Notice fine of £60 per parent per child rising to £120 if not paid to T&W Council within 21 days. Thereafter, failure to pay the £120 within the period 22 to 28 days may result in Court action.

Please see the letter sent to schools by Telford and Wrekin following the Supreme Court decision in the case of Isle of Wight v Jon Platt and the leave in term time case.

Letter May 2017

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