Management Information Sheet

Leave of absence for pupil term time holidays.

Clarification has been recently sought from the DfES on two issues regarding term time holidays for pupils.

1. Blanket bans on the authorising of absence for holidays.
   
   The response from the DfES is" Although the law does not explicitly prohibit blanket bans, the DfES's Legal Advisers' view is that, in determining the outcome of a request to go on holiday during term time without having first considered the merits of the case, the school may be acting outside of the law.
   
   We want to discourage holidays in term time and encourage schools to negotiate with parents, informing them that term time holidays are not the norm and are only granted in special circumstances. In considering individual requests, the DfES expects schools to set rigorous criteria for authorising holidays in term time."
   
   
2. Do the discretionary 10 days for term time holidays need to be continuous?
   
   The DfES view is that, as the regulations (Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995) section 8 do not state that the10 days are continuous then this must mean that they can be spread over the school year.

You may wish to consider both of these points in relation to your guidance to parents on term time holidays in the coming school year.

If you would like to discuss any implications that arise for your school from this DfES guidance then please contact:

Val Creasy Education Attendance Officer
Val.creasy@norfolk.gov.uk
01603 223528