Liskeard School and Community College does not support holidays taken during term time.  Holidays in term time are not a universal entitlement. They are only granted at the discretion of the Headteacher and only in exceptional circumstances.

Headteachers no longer have the authorisation to grant leave during the term time unless it is for exceptional circumstances as outlined by the Department for Education.  If you believe your request for the absence is exceptional, please complete the below form at the bottom of this notice.  The form needs to be submitted/given to the school 15 days before the absence is due to start and the school will respond to you as soon as possible. Requests that are not on the correct form will not be accepted If you continue to take the leave, and it has not been authorised the absence will be unauthorised on the students record.

Please be aware of the legislation regarding unauthorised absences-

If your child is absent from school without authorisation, you will be committing an offence under the Education Act 1996.  We may submit a request to Cornwall Council for a Penalty Notice to be issued, in accordance with Sections 44A and 44B of the said Act.  Penalty Notices are issued per liable parent, per child and each carry a fine of £60 if paid with 21 days or £120 if paid after this but within the 28 days.  Failure to pay the Penalty Notice may result in legal action.  Absence not authorised by the school may result in a prosecution in the Magistrates’ Courts under Section 444(1) or Section 444(1A) of the Education Act 1996, leading to a fine of up to £2, 500 and/ or a custodial sentence.  Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court.

I understand that if the absence request is unauthorised the school may request that Cornwall Council issue a Penalty Notice. I understand that a Penalty Notice is issued to each liable parent/carer of each child taken out of school and that it carries a fine of £60 if paid within 21 days, increasing to £120 if paid within 28 days. I understand that if I do not pay the fine, it may result in legal action being taken against me. I understand that parents have a duty to ensure their child’s regular attendance at school and failure to do so is an offence under Section 444(1) and Section 444(1A0 of the Education Act 1996.

Please submit this form with at least 15 school days’ notice before the proposed absence.