We appreciate the challenges that some parents face when booking holidays, particularly during the school holidays. However, regular attendance at school is vital in helping children and young people to achieve their full potential and get the best possible start in life.

Leave requested on the form attached will only be able to be authorised in exceptional circumstances. A form must be completed and sent to the school office before ALL holidays are taken. 

LCC Holiday request form

If leave is taken without school's permission and exceeds 5 days/10 sessions in one term or 7 days/14 sessions over two consecutive terms, a penalty notice may be incurred.

Link to current LCC information.

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/absence-from-school/

 

You can also click here to see an updated version of the 'Do I need to keep my children off school?' poster from the Public Health Agency. This contains helpful information for a number of different illnesses.

 

Types of Absence

Every half-day absence from school, by law, has to be classified as either authorised or unauthorised. This is why information about the cause of absence is always asked for.

See the https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/119805/newton-bluecoat-church-of-england-primary-school/absence-and-pupil-population for information on our school’s absence figures.

Authorised Absences

These are mornings or afternoons away from school for a valid reason such as illness, emergency medical or dental appointments (routine appointments should always be made out of school hours) and emergencies.

Unauthorised Absences

An absence is classified as Unauthorised if the reason was not recognised as acceptable. The Department for Education (DfE) and Local Education Authorities provide information for schools as to what is acceptable and what is not.

Examples of reasons that would not be accepted:

• A birthday
• A shopping trip
• Day trips
• Holidays – unless have been agreed as exceptional circumstances