Dear Parent / Carer

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 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.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Senior Leadership Team

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 444A and 444B of the said Act. Penalty Notices are issued per liable parent, per child and each carry a fine of £80 if paid within 21 days or £160 if paid after this but within 28 days.

If your child is further absent from school without authorisation within any 3-year period, you will be committing a further 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 444A and 444B of the said Act. Penalty Notices for a second offence are issued per liable parent, per child and each carry a fine of £160, payable within 28 days.

Importantly, fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action such as a parenting order or prosecution will be considered. 

Failure to pay the Penalty Notice may also result in legal action. If you are prosecuted and attend court because your child has not been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500. Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court, including legal costs.

Absence not authorised by the school may also result in a prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court 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. Again, Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court, including legal costs. 

Money raised from fines is only used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system, and to fund attendance support. Any extra money is returned to the government. 

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