ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC COLLEGE Specialist in Humanities

Headteacher: Anita Bodurka Bradley Bar, Huddersfield, HD2 2JT T: 01484 426 466 F: 01484 456 452 E: office@aschc.com

W: www.aschc.com Dear Parent(s)/Carer(s)

We know that you as parents/carers want the best for your child and that having a good education helps to open up more opportunities in adult life. Missing school carries costs for your child in both the long and short term. Bearing this in mind, I would like to remind you about the law relating to holidays taken during term time. The basic rule is that school may grant leave of absence in exceptional circumstances only, for not more than 5 days in a school year, but this is not automatic, nor is it an entitlement . The decision will be made by me and I will use my discretion and must consider each request individually. Procedure for requesting Holidays during Term Time: A Holiday Request Letter must be completed in advance of the holiday and given to the College, via your childs Form Tutor. Email requests must be sent to the Head Teacher at the address given on this letter. The letter must clearly state why it is necessary that this absence must be taken in term time. Unfortunately, lower cost is not a necessary reason. On receipt of the Holiday Request Letter, you will be sent a response indicating whether the school is able to authorise your request or not.

Reasons for not authorising it might include: Unsatisfactory attendance. Time of year, eg if students are sitting Public Examinations. If holiday leave has already been authorised during the current academic year. There does not appear to be an exceptional circumstance surrounding the request.

If parents still decide to take their child out of school for a holiday and permission has not been granted, then the absence will be coded as unauthorised. This may lead to the school referring the matter to the Local Authority requesting a Fixed Penalty Notice to be issued. This amounts to 60 per child per parent/carer payable within 21 days, rising to 120 per child per parent/carer if paid within 28 days. If full payment is not received by the 28th day then a Summons will be issued for you to appear before the Magistrates Court on the grounds that you have failed to secure your childs regular attendance at school. Fixed Penalty Notices have been introduced as part of the Governments drive to improve attendance. I know for some these measures may appear severe, but we believe that regular and high attendance is in every pupils best interests and helps to maximise their achievements and enjoyment of school. This letter reflects accurately the current legislation, and as a school we have a duty to point this out to parents/carers. Further details and background information can be found at the Government website - www.gov.uk/school-attendanceabsence. Yours sincerely

A Bodurka Headteacher