Moorlands Junior School
Attendance & Leave of Absence
The DFE state that:
You can only allow your child to miss school if either:
- they’re too ill to go in
- you have advance permission from the school
There’s extra support available if your child cannot go to school for long periods because of a health problem.
There may be other exceptional circumstances where you can ask to take your child out of school. Your school will consider each application and may let you take your child out of school.
The Legal Position
Schools are now only allowed to authorise leave of absence from school if they are satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances.
Schools may also require evidence to be provided before agreeing to authorise any exceptional leave of absence.
Holidays in term time
A holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance. You cannot usually take your child away during term time.
You can be fined or face legal action for taking your child on holiday during term time.
Education Penalty Notices
Parents should be aware that if holidays or other leave of absence is taken during term time without permission they could be issued with Education Penalty Notices by the Local Authority.
Education Penalty Notices (EPNs) are fixed penalty fines issued by Trafford Council. Since the start of the 2024-2025 school year, new rules the following rules have applied to EPNs:
· For the first fine issued for after the start of the 24-25 school year, the fine is £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.
· If a second fine is then issued to the same parent for the same child within three years of the first fine it will be for £160.
· Subsequent offences - no further fines can then be issued if two have already been issued to
· the same parent for the same child within the previous three years (starting with the date of the first fine); instead the parent will be prosecuted by the Local Authority in the Magistrates’ Court.
We strongly encourage parents to schedule holidays during school breaks but should there be exceptional circumstances and you need to apply for a leave of absence for your child please complete the form below and return it to the school office prior to any leave of absence. This includes religious observance days, sporting activities and all other absence requests.
