Just to share a recent update from Shropshire Council regarding an update from the DfE regarding “Leave of Absence in Term Time”.
As has always been the case, absence during term time can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. In any request for absence, this should be made in advance of the absence – whether this will be authorised or not. Requests made after the absence itself is unlikely to be authorised.
The updated statutory DfE guidance (Working together to improve school attendance) has tightened regulations around leave of absence, including stricter penalties (including in extreme cases prosecution). If a penalty notice or prosecution is required, this would be delivered by the Local Authority (Shropshire Council) via the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO).
A significant change in the DfE guidance (is that Local Authorities can now issue a penalty notice where 10 or more sessions (AM session / PM session) have been missed due to unauthorised absence across a 10-week period. This would also include significant unauthorised lateness. This 10-week period can span across terms or academic years.
Shropshire Council have asked to remind parents that “…a leave of absence during term time is prohibited for a family holiday.” In these circumstances, a Leave of Absence request form still must be fill in before the absence occurs.
Honesty and transparency is something that is vital in the working relationship between school and home – and we really do appreciate open communication from parents/carers regarding circumstances like these. We do try to work hard to accommodate situations wherever possible and really appreciate that holidays can be precious family experiences. However, we do have statutory duties that we must fulfil. Parents/carers have a legal duty to ensure their child(ren) attend(s) school regularly and report any reasons for absence accurately and in a timely manner. Therefore, as a school, we are required by the DfE and Local Authority to report situations where we feel there may be a chance that reasons for absence are not accurate (e.g. a child being on holiday when reported as illness) to the Education Welfare Officer. The vast majority of which are likely to eventually come to light. Situations like these (i.e. inaccurately reported absences) are likely to be dealt with by the EWO/Local Authority as more severe than those where parents/cares have been honest.
We feel that we work really hard to try and ensure that the school is open, honest and approachable and will always try to work solutions to situations if we can – but this can only work if parents/carers do the same. If you do wish to discuss anything above or want further information, please get in touch.