Planned Leave of Absence
Term time leave requests will be reviewed and approved only in the case of exceptional circumstances at the Headteacher’s discretion; all other absences will be unauthorised. Should parents choose to take their children on holiday when it has not been authorised by the school, a penalty notice will be raised on the 10th session of absence. A school day is made up of two sessions, morning and afternoon, therefore ten sessions is a full five days.
Shepton Mallet Community Infants’ School & Nursery understands that holidays are generally less expensive during term time but this does NOT count as an exceptional circumstance.
Leave which is taken for the following reasons will not be authorised:
- Availability of cheaper holidays
- Availability of desired accommodation
- Unable to take holiday during periods of national lockdown (Covid 19)
- Poor weather experienced in school holidays
- Overlap with beginning or end of term.
- Booked the wrong dates by mistake.
- Booked by another family member.
- Attending a wedding that is not immediate family
- Family birthdays
This list is examples only and is not exhaustive.
Examples of exceptional circumstances:
- Parent in the armed forces or medical profession
- Death of a close family member
- Terminal illness of a family member
- Wedding of an immediate family member
Whilst this is not an exhaustive list, absence will only be granted at the Headteacher’s discretion and if there are not already concerns surrounding that pupil's attendance. The Head Teacher will determine how many school days a child may be absent from school if the leave is granted.
Penalty notices will be raised with Somerset County Council following ten consecutive unauthorised sessions of absence or a total of ten sessions of unauthorised absence within a twelve week period.