Term Time Absences

Although we endeavour to be as reasonable as possible about term time holidays at QES, since September 2013 the Department for Education has removed school’s ability to authorize leave of absence. Parents no longer have any legal entitlement to take their child out of school during the school term and can be fined for doing so. However, if there are exceptional reasons for the holiday, which meet the government’s new guidelines, school can authorise up to 10 days holiday in any one year provided the child’s attendance is otherwise excellent. Please see our FAQs for further clarification.

Please apply for any such leave of absence by completing a Holiday Application form at least 2 weeks prior to the event and return it to Mrs Gray, Assistant Headteacher for consideration and authorisation BEFORE confirming your holiday arrangements. This is to enable your request to be considered against the criteria set by the government and, if it is authorised, to allow pupils time to collect any work that will be missed. We will not be able to authorise any holidays during internal or external exam times and, if you have any doubt about dates, please contact Mrs Sam Sayers in the school office who will advise you of these before booking your holiday.

Please note, we have been advised that we cannot accept parents’ working rotas or

holiday costs as valid reasons for a term time holiday.

We thank you in advance for your co-operation and understanding.

Hayley Gray
(Assistant Headteacher)

Sam Sayers
(Attendance Officer)