APPLICATION FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME

“Children only get one chance at school, and your child’s chances of a successful future may be affected by not attending school regularly”.

Of course there may be times when your child has to miss school because she or he is ill.  This is to be expected and for the odd day off sick you should follow the school’s procedures for notifying illness.

Children may also have to attend a medical or dental appointment in school time.  However, you should try to make routine appointments such as dental check-ups during the school holidays or after school hours.

Redbridge Council is committed to a policy of minimum unavoidable absence from school during term time. Al Madrasa Burhaniya (London) follows this policy, and will only be prepared to grant absence from school for circumstances as defined in the list below as exceptional.

Exceptional Circumstances and Special Considerations

1. Serious illness or death of a close relative. We feel that such a category would be very difficult to define and so any absence would be at the discretion of the Headteacher.
2. Religious reasons subject to a maximum number of 3 days.
3. Sudden loss of housing through eviction or domestic violence up to a maximum of 3 days.
4. Out of school programmes such as music, arts or sport operating at a high standard of achievement and agreed by the A. The EWS will advise schools on individual circumstances.
5. Weddings of close relatives when an explanation has been provided as to why this is not being held at a weekend or during holidays. A maximum of 3 days only will be authorised.  (Only one such request will be considered whilst the child is at Al Madrasa Burhaniya (London)).
6. A family holiday which due to a parent / carer work commitment cannot be taken at any other time. Evidence has to be provided from employers (Only one such request will be considered per academic year and is not an automatic entitlement).

*Please note that only one exceptional circumstance will be considered at a time.  Exceptional circumstances cannot be joined together to extend absence.

Sanctions for an Unauthorised Leave of Absence without Permission

A Penalty Notice will be issued for unauthorised leave of absence (holiday) taken without permission after the first day of absence.  It will be issued by the EWS following discussions with the Head.

This will incur a fine of £60.00 per child being imposed, if paid within 28 days of receipt of the notice, rising to £120.00 per child if paid after 28 days but within 42 days of receipt.  If the penalty is not paid in full by the end of the 42 days, the Local Authority must either prosecute for the offence or withdraw the notice.  This prosecution is for the offence of failing to secure attendance at school not for non-payment of the fine.  Prosecutions are brought under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996.  There is no statutory right of appeal against the issuing of a Penalty Notice.  Arrangements for payment will be detailed on the penalty notice.  This will be reviewed on an annual basis.

In cases where unauthorised leave of absence has been taken without permission, which exceeds 10 days or more, the school should advise the EWS in order that steps can be implemented with a view to removing the child from roll.  (The EWS will have a checklist of requirements before a pupil can be removed from the school roll).  A decision will be taken by the EWS whether to implement legal proceedings under the Education Act 1996, Section 444 and (1a).