Queen Elizabeth School

Term Time Absences

Please read the guidelines below regarding term time absences from school. We would like to thank you in advance for your support and understanding in these matters.

Unplanned Absences (e.g illness)

  • School should be notified of any absence and a brief reason for that absence by 9am on the same day
  • Please phone the school on 015242 71275 and press option 1 to leave a message
  • To e-mail school, use this address: studentabsence@qes.org.uk

Other Absences (e.g funeral/sporting event/work experience)

  • Please apply in writing or email:  studentabsence@qes.org.uk marked for the attention of Mrs H Gray, Assistant Headteacher
  • These requests are dealt with on an individual basis and will be recorded accordingly

Planned Absences (e.g Family Holiday)

Since 2013, parents have no legal entitlement to take their child out of school during term time and can be fined by the LA for doing so.  Schools are only able, therefore, to authorise absence in the ‘exceptional circumstances’ listed by the government.  A family holiday for any other reason is not considered an exceptional circumstance so our hands are tied.  Please see our FAQs below for further information.

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)

Still have questions?

If you still have questions please check out our FAQs document by clicking the button below.

Useful documents

Please see links below for further information.