ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES

Report an Absence

If your child is going to be absent due to illness, a medical appointment etc… or you wish to request a leave of absence, please contact us via our phone, in person or use our online form below:

*Please note, attendance is extremely import in a child’s education and RAISE-AP follow DfE guidance to assist minimising any absence. Education law states that parents do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances may a headteacher grant permission for leave; and it is the Head of Provision’s decision on whether the absence is exceptional and how many days to approve.

More details about requesting a leave of absence can be found below:

Leave of Absence Guidance

Dear Parents and Carers,

Below is some guidance for requesting pupils a leave of absence whilst attending RAISE-AP. The guidance is drawn from what the DfE has published (click here) and this document aims to place all the information in a single, accessible place.

Hampshire County Council’s attendance guidance (click here) states that: children have 13 weeks annual holiday from school and school holiday dates are published well in advance online. As such, all parents / carers are expected wherever possible to plan and take their family holidays at this time so as not to disrupt their children’s education. 

Education law states that parents do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances may the Head of Provision grant permission for leave; and it is the Head of Provisions decision on whether the absence is exceptional and how many days to approve.

Parents / carers who would like RAISE-AP to consider granting a leave of absence during school term time should put in writing their request to the Head of Provision, via the online form, in time for the request to be considered.

Parents are strongly advised not to finalise any booking arrangements before receiving the Head of Provision’s decision regarding their request. The Head of Provision cannot authorise any leave of absence unless the request is received before the period of absence begins.

The Department for Education makes it clear that Head of Provisions may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Head of Provisions now also determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted. There is no automatic right to any leave in term time.

Each case will be considered individually and on its own merits. In considering a request, RAISE-AP will take account a variety of factors which may help to reach a decision, including: the exceptional circumstances given; the time of the academic year; the duration of absence requested; the stage of the child’s education; the child’s current attendance; any public examinations that are calendared during the leave request; the impact the absence will have on the child, any specific SEN need etc…

Examples of Circumstances NOT Considered as Exceptional

• Holidays abroad for the purpose of visiting a sick relative, excepting where that person is seriously ill. Medical evidence may be requested.
• Holidays taken in term time due to lower cost/parental work commitments.

 

Examples of Circumstances Where Leave May be Granted

• If a parent can evidence that they will not be in receipt of any leave in the near future that coincides with school holidays.
• Where an absence from school is recommended by a health professional as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue.
• The death or terminal illness of a close relative.
• Out of school programmes such as music, arts or sport operating at a high standard of achievement.
• Religious observance – The Education Act states ‘’on any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which his / her parent belongs’’.
• To attend a wedding or funeral of a close relative.