Unauthorised Holidays

Term Time Holidays

As you are aware, I am not allowed to grant any leave of absence during term time – unless there are exceptional circumstances. An exceptional circumstance is usually a one off, unique situation that is of significant, emotional, educational or spiritual value which outweighs the loss of teaching time.

It is my duty to strongly urge parents or carers to avoid booking holidays, appointments or visits overseas during term time. It is important that I advise you that, under the legislation, there is an expectation that school will issue a Fixed Penalty Notice to those parents who take their children on an unauthorised leave of absence during term time.

Fixed Penalty Charges

A new National Framework for Penalty Notices for School Absence came into effect on the 19^th August 2024.  

The National Framework for penalty notices introduces a new national limit of 2 penalty notices that can now be issued to a parent for the same child within a rolling 3-year period.  Once two Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued; if a 3^rd unauthorised leave of absence occurs within a 3-year period, the Local Authority is able to move to prosecution immediately.

• The first penalty notice issued per parent for a pupil will be charged at £160 if paid within 28 days reducing to £80 if paid within 21 days. 
• A second penalty notice issued  to the same parent for the same pupil within 3 years of the first notice, is charged at a flat rate of £160 per parent if paid within 28 days. 
• A third penalty notice will not be issued within a 3 year period. but alternative action  taken instead. This will often include considering prosecution, but may include other tools such as one of the other attendance legal interventions.

Please note: Byley Primary School and Nursery does not benefit from any payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice. 

For more information click on the link Frequently Asked Questions which will take you to further information from Cheshire West and Chester.