We have always said that the best place for students to make educational progress, to reach their potential and realise their ambitions is to be in the classroom learning. Over the years some parents have requested time off school for their son or daughter to take a family holiday. There is no "right" for parents to take holidays in term time: only a power for the Headteacher to authorise such an absence. In the past, we have never approved such requests, although we have coded the absence as an authorised absence. From September 2013 the government regulations changed and the Headteacher can no longer sanction holidays taken during term time. This means that any requests from parents for holidays will have to be rejected and if any parents do take holidays during term time, the register will have to be marked as an unauthorised absence (code G).

This is in line with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2006. In addition, The Education (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2007 set out the procedures for issuing fixed penalty notices (fines) to each parent who fails to ensure their child's regular attendance at school. Parents must pay £60 within 21 days or £120 within 28 days.