Headteachers are no longer allowed to authorise requests for children to be taken out of school in term time for holiday.
If you take a holiday which is not authorised by the school then we may refer the matter to the Local Authority who will consider the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice. Summerfield School follows the Local Authorities guidance.
Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) are issued to each parent and per child. A FPN is £80 if paid within 21 days, and £160 if paid between 22 and 28 days. If the fine is not paid, you will be prosecuted in the magistrates’ court and could receive a fine of up to £1000 (per parent) and a criminal record.
If a second period of leave is taken within 3 years (same parent/child) then the fine will start at £160 payable in 28 days. If there is a third offence in 3 years (same parent/child) then the matter will be prosecuted in the magistrate’s court.
The school will follow the guidance as set out in the ‘School Attendance Enforcement Policy in relation to non-school attendance and Code of Conduct for the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices’.
The school cannot accept any of the following as a reason to authorise an absence:
- Shopping during school hours;
- Special occasions, e.g. birthdays;
- No uniform, shoes, etc.;
- Overslept;
- Haircut;
- False illnesses;
- At home due to family illness.
- Children arriving at school after the register has closed (Arriving after 9:20)
- Family Holidays
- Routine dental appointments
