Holidays in Term Time

In term time, parents do not have an automatic right to withdraw learners for holidays.  Each request for holiday absence will be considered individually, and will only be granted at the discretion of the Headteacher.

Schools will take into account:

• Age of the learner;
• The time of year proposed for the trip;
• The nature of the trip;
• The overall attendance pattern of the learner.

Where a school does not grant a holiday request and the learner still takes a holiday, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.  If learners are kept away from school for a period longer than that agreed with the school, any extra time will also be recorded as unauthorised.

If you are considering taking your child on a holiday during term time, ask your him or her for a request form from school and remember:

• Holidays should not be taken during school term time;
• You should not expect your child's school to approve a family holiday during term time, unless there are exceptional circumstances;
• It is not appropriate to take your child on holiday at a time when he or she should be taking exams or tests;
• The Headteacher will carefully consider your request and will take your child's record into account.

For advice contact your child's school or Education Social Worker (ESW) / Education Welfare Officer (EWO).  Each school in Conwy has an allocated ESW/EWO who monitors the progress and attendance of learners.

The ESW/EWO can be contacted either through the school or:

The Education Social Work Service, Education Services, Government Buildings, Dinerth Road, Colwyn Bay. LL28 4UL

Tel: 01492 575013 / 096