Parents of registered pupils have a legal duty under the Education Act 1996 to make sure that children of compulsory school age attend school regularly. Schools are unable to authorise leave during term-time unless under exceptional circumstances and may refer cases to Swindon Borough Council.

If a parent/carer takes their child out of school without permission being granted, this will count as an unauthorised absence on the pupil’s record. Unauthorised absence may incur a fine from Swindon Borough Council. There is a risk of a £80 penalty notice, per parent, per child, or prosecution through the courts. Any second penalty notice issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3-year period, will be charged at the higher rate of £160 with no option for this second offence to be discharged at the lower rate of £80.  If 2 fines have been issued within 3 years, then Swindon Borough Council may consider prosecution through the courts for further reported unauthorised absence as per the Statutory Guidance “Working Together to Improve School Attendance 2024.”

A penalty notice can be issued to each parent/carer who is intrinsically involved in the day to day caring responsibilities (including step parents/parent’s partners.)

 

Examples of absence from school that will not be authorised include but are not limited to:

• A holiday
• A leave of absence for recreation or leisure
• Birthdays
• Resting after a late night
• Relatives visiting or visiting relatives

 

This request should be submitted as soon as it is anticipated: and wherever possible, at least three weeks before the absence. Leave of absence cannot be approved retrospectively.

 

Please return the form to the school office. School will respond to your Leave of Absence Request to inform you if this absence has been authorised or unauthorised.