At Poulton-le-Sands, we recognise the importance of balancing family time with the need for regular school attendance. Our term dates and holiday periods follow the Lancashire Local Authority calendar and are published in advance to support families with planning.
We strongly encourage holidays to be taken during school holiday periods, as time away during term time can have a significant impact on a child’s learning, progress and wellbeing. Requests for leave during term time will be considered in line with current attendance guidance and regulations.
All confirmed term dates, holidays, and INSET (training) days are shared here and updated annually. If you have any questions regarding holidays, term time absence, or attendance expectations, please contact the School Office for further advice and support.
Pupil Attendance – Leave in Term Time
All schools have a responsibility to promote positive attendance, take a firm stance on dealing with unnecessary absence and to dispel the myth held by many parents that there is an entitlement to time off school for holidays in term time.
Headteachers cannot authorise any leave of absence during term time unless they are satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to warrant the granting of leave.
Our Governing Body has adopted the Lancashire County Council Attendance Policy and Procedures. To read this in more detail, please visit our policy section of the school website.
Key points to note include:
- You are required to complete an ‘application for leave of absence’ form well in advance of the proposed absence (one month minimum) – please click here.
- The Headteacher may wish to meet applicants to discuss each application on its own merits
- Penalty Notices (fines) may be issued when parents choose to take their child(ren) out of school during term time without the Headteacher’s permission. Such absences will also be considered when reviewing a pupil’s overall attendance record.
We hope all parents will acknowledge and understand the limitations placed on schools in granting any leave in term time. Therefore, we need parents to support the school in our efforts to reduce unnecessary absence and thus minimise the impact on the education of our pupils.
Similarly, good time-keeping is also essential – children who are late to school often feel embarrassed and often miss important elements of the day’s learning.
The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has advised its members to adopt advice that aims to clarify what is meant by an ‘exceptional’ reason for absence. The guidance also provides a clear analysis of the key issues. The Headteacher will use this advice from when considering applications from parents for pupil absence during term-time. Family holidays in term time are not considered exceptional circumstances.
Parents who would like to ready the NAHT advice document should click here.
