Parents and carers can monitor their child's attendance through the Arbor Parent App.

Before submitting a request for leave during term time, please read the information below carefully.

Our Expectations

At Blackbrook School, we are committed to helping every child achieve their full potential. Regular attendance at school is essential for learning, wellbeing and social development.

All children have a legal right to a suitable full-time education. Parents also have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly.

We expect all pupils to attend school every day that the school is open, unless there is a valid reason for absence.

Authorised Absences

In line with national regulations and Trust policy, absences can only be authorised in certain circumstances, including:

• Illness where a child is too unwell to attend school.
• Unavoidable medical or dental appointments.
• Recognised religious observance.
• Circumstances where school or local authority transport is unavailable.
• Other exceptional circumstances approved by the School Management Team. 

Please note that providing a reason for absence does not automatically mean the absence will be authorised. The decision to authorise an absence rests with the School Management Team. Evidence may be requested to support a request.

Term-Time Leave

There is no entitlement for children to take holidays or other recreational leave during term time. Headteachers may only grant leave of absence during term time where they are satisfied that exceptional circumstances apply. 

All requests are considered individually and on a case-by-case basis.

While it is not possible to provide a definitive list of exceptional circumstances, requests are generally expected to be:

• Rare and one-off in nature.
• Significant and unavoidable.
• Of exceptional emotional, educational or spiritual value to the child.
• Unable to be arranged during school holiday periods. 

Family holidays, cheaper travel arrangements, availability of accommodation, family celebrations or other convenience-based reasons will not normally be considered exceptional circumstances.

How to Request Leave

All requests for leave during term time must be submitted in advance using the online request form.

Requests should be made by the parent or carer with whom the child normally resides.

The school cannot normally authorise leave retrospectively. Any leave taken without prior approval will be recorded as unauthorised absence.

Information You Will Need to Provide

• Parent/carer details.
• Child's name and class.
• Dates of the requested absence.
• Date the child will return to school.
• Full details of the reason for the request.
• Any relevant supporting evidence (please send via email where possible)

Medical Appointments

Where possible, medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours or during school holidays.

When this is not possible, children should attend school before and after the appointment wherever practicable so that learning time is minimised. Evidence of appointments may be requested.

Unauthorised Leave and Penalty Notices

Where leave is taken without authorisation, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Under current national attendance regulations, schools are required to consider requesting a Penalty Notice where a pupil accumulates 10 or more unauthorised sessions (normally equivalent to 5 school days) within a rolling 10-school-week period. This may include unauthorised term-time leave. 

Penalty Notices may be issued to each parent for each child. Current charges are:

• First Penalty Notice: £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days.
• Second Penalty Notice issued within three years: £160.
• Further offences may result in prosecution under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996.

Submit a Request

To request leave during term time, please complete the online form below.

All requests will be reviewed by the School Management Team and a decision communicated to parents as soon as possible.

Further information can be found in The Oak Partnership Trust Attendance Policy on the Policies page.