In line with government guidelines, Essex schools will only agree to children missing education for a family holiday due to special circumstances. This will be at the discretion of the headteacher.
Should you wish to apply for a term time holiday due to special circumstances, you should put your request in writing to the headteacher in advance, detailing the reason behind your decision to remove your child during term time. Please wait for a response prior to booking your family holiday.
Should the headteacher not agree to grant leave but you take your child on holiday anyway, it will be counted as an
unauthorised absence - this is the same as
truancy. If a term time holiday is taken without the headteacher’s permission, you may be issued with a penalty notice.
Penalty notices
If a holiday is taken without permission being granted, the
Education Welfare Service may issue a £50 penalty notice to each parent for each child, to be paid within 28 days. If the penalty notice is not paid within this period it will increase to £100. If the penalty notice is not paid within 42 days, parents can be prosecuted in the magistrates’ court for failing to ensure that their child/children attend school regularly.
Why term time holidays should be avoided
Learning
- Monday in school will often set the scene for the week.
- New themes or projects may be introduced and it is important for your child to be present so they can relate to what’s going on.
- Returning later in the week or after a holiday can leave them feeling confused or left behind.
- The beginning of the week may also contain chances to consolidate learning from the previous week or to continue with the next stage of learning in a sequence of planned activities.
Events
It is important for your child to take part in school events such as sports day and school plays so they learn to be part of a team and take responsibility in group activities. Holidays in the summer term can often lead to children missing these events, as do holidays just before Christmas when the school's plays and concerts may take place.
Friends
- Children who are absent at the start of term will miss the settling in process, particularly at the start of a new academic year or during the change from primary to secondary school;
- On their return, children may feel disorientated because their peers have adjusted to new teachers and routines;
- New friendship groups may also have already been formed, leaving the child feeling isolated and insecure.
See also: