LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME

Your child's education is priceless!
Coventry Education Authority does not support holidays in school time. There are 190 statutory days in one school year; this leaves 175 days every year out of school time available for holidays.

THE LAW

Children of school age registered at a school, must by law attend school regularly. Parents DO NOT have any right or entitlement to take a child out of school for the purpose of a term time holiday. 

Taking a leave of absence during term time could result in the issue of a FIXED PENALTY NOTICE. 

The Penalty Notice is for £60 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days and £120 per parent, per child if paid after this date but within 28 days.

Failure to pay the Penalty Notice could result in Coventry City Council starting legal proceedings against you for the offence of failing to ensure your child’s regular attendance at school.

In some instances children who take holidays in term time could risk losing their school place.

The government recommendation is that the school attendance of every child should be 96% or above, if they are to achieve their potential.

Pupils who take 10 days holiday during term time can only achieve a maximum attendance of 94.70% even if there are no other absences throughout the year.

PARENTS

Please consider the following impacts before taking your child out of school:

• Your child will miss out on valuable school work - work will not be set for your child if they are on holiday
• Your child will struggle to settle in during the first term/year of a new school
• Your child could face disruptions in friendship groups
• Your child may never catch up on school missed
• Your child may return from a holiday to find that they no longer have a school place

If you do decide to take your child out of school during term time, please complete a Leave of Absence Request Form; this can be collected from the school office. The Family Team will then be in touch to discuss your request.

EVERY SCHOOL DAY MATTERS.