Absences adversely affect the progress that students make. One of the most important things you can do for your child is make sure that they attend College regularly and on time. It is only the Principal that can authorise an absence from College. Please read the College Policy on attendance and term-time absence.

We are only able to authorise time off College in EXCEPTIONAL, once-in-a-lifetime circumstances. The Principal cannot authorise a planned absence retrospectively. It is unlikely that an absence will be granted if a student’s attendance is currently below 97% or if the absence would bring them below this figure. Permission will not be given if the reason is because of cost e.g. it is cheaper to get flights during term-time.

The following are indicative of acceptable reasons for requesting an absence:

• for a close family funeral.
• taking part in a significant event involving education, sport, music or other performance.

Unauthorised absence will form part of a student’s record. It is often difficult for students to catch up with work as they miss out on the interaction with the teacher and other students.

Please note that we may need to ask for additional evidence to support any request and therefore require that they are made at least 10 working days in advance of the planned absence.

To apply for a term time absence please click here to download the form.

WARNING

Failure to ensure your child’s regular attendance at school could result in either: A Penalty Notice being issued to you by the local authority; or prosecution proceedings being issued against you in the Magistrates’ Court – please note that this action will also be taken should you be issued with a Penalty Notice that you fail to pay.

The first Penalty Notice issued to each parent/carer for unauthorised term-time absence will be charged at £160 (per parent/per child) if paid within 28 days, reducing to £80 (per parent/per child) if paid within 21 days.

If within 3 years of the first Penalty Notice, it is deemed appropriate to issue you with a second Penalty Notice in respect of your child’s absence, the second Penalty Notice will be charged at a flat rate of £160 (per parent/per child) if paid within 28 days.  There will be no opportunity to pay it at the reduced rate.

If there is a third occasion of unauthorised absence in a 3-year period, a Penalty Notice cannot be issued, and the local authority may proceed directly to court with a prosecution under the Education Act 1996, where if you plead guilty or are found guilty will mean you will have a criminal record.

Where there are significant concerns about your child’s attendance, prosecution action may be taken, and no Penalty Notice will be issued.