Please be advised Holywell Primary School is an Academy and the term dates are different from Leicestershire County Council.

Please note the following information about taking holidays during term time. When a child is absent from school for any reason, including holidays, it affects their education. Therefore, we kindly request that parents do not take their children out of school during term time. Children are expected to attend school for 190 days out of the year, which leaves 175 days for families to spend time together without impacting school attendance.

It is not an automatic right for parents to take their children out of school during term time. Generally, holiday requests will be unauthorised. Since 1st September 2013, school attendance regulations have changed under the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. The current government legislation states that the Headteacher may not grant any leave during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. If leave is granted, the Headteacher will determine the number of school days a child can be absent.

Acceptable attendance is 96%. If a child's attendance is already below this figure, or if it will drop below this percentage, authorisation should not be given. The Headteacher may only grant leave for exceptional circumstances, such as:

• When a parent is a service personnel returning from a tour of duty abroad and will not receive leave that coincides with school holidays.
• When a health professional recommends an absence from school as part of a parent or child's rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue.
• When there is a death or terminal illness of a close relative, and the Headteacher is satisfied that the circumstances are truly exceptional.
• For religious observance on any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which the parent belongs.
• To attend a wedding or funeral of a close relative, and the Headteacher is satisfied that the circumstances are truly exceptional. The absence must not entail a holiday but should consist of travel to and attendance at the wedding. The Headteacher will require clear evidence that the absence is an exceptional circumstance.
• In difficult family situations, the Headteacher may use their discretion in granting leave, taking into account the overall welfare of the child.

Days over any agreed period will be marked as unauthorised absence. Long weekends and overlapping holiday dates will also be unauthorised. Evidence will be required in each case.

Exceptions that are not considered as exceptional circumstances include:

• Holidays abroad to visit a sick relative, except when that person is seriously ill. Medical evidence may be requested.
• Holidays taken in term time due to lower costs or parental work commitments.

If a request meets the above exceptional circumstances but falls within the following times, the Headteacher must be convinced that absence from school is the only option:

1. The first half-term of any academic year (applies to all pupils).

2. Year six transition day (for pupils in year six).

Holidays will not be granted during Year 6 SATs week or assessment weeks in May for other year groups.

When considering exceptional term time leave requests, the following factors may help to reach a decision:

• Time of the academic year when the leave has been requested
• Duration of the absence, including the number of school days being missed
• The child's current attendance and punctuality rate
• Exceptional term time leave requested/taken in previous academic years for a similar purpose
• Whether alternative care arrangements have been considered by the parent/carer to limit the time away from school
• Impact on any interventions, assessments, or referrals being undertaken with the child or family, such as family support, social care assessments, CAMHS, SEN
• The impact that the absence will have on the child.

In each case, an absence request form must be completed with supporting documentation if required. These should be completed by giving at least 10 school days' notice.