http://www.education.gov.uk/a00201198/holidays-in-term-time-advice-for-essential-workers-who-are-affected-by-a-ban-on-summer-leave-during-and-around-the-2012-olympics Holidays in term time - advice for essential workers who are affected by a ban on summer leave during and around the 2012 Olympics Advice on requests for leave during 2012 Olympics Advice on when to take family holidays, for essential workers such as serving police officers who are affected by a ban on summer leave during the 2012 Olympics. <![CDATA[<p> It is the Government&rsquo;s priority that every child attends school regularly and absence is reduced to a minimum. There is clear evidence that any absence from school can and does have an impact on children&rsquo;s attainment. It follows that schools should keep any leave of absence granted to a minimum.</p> <p> The Department would advise parents who are affected by the ban on summer leave for serving police officers and other essential workers during and around the 2012 Olympics, to consider other opportunities to take a family holiday such as during the half term holidays both before and after the summer holiday period. Only where this proves impossible should parents apply to the school for leave of absence. A parent whose child is absent from school without the headteacher&rsquo;s authorisation may be committing an offence.</p> <p> The law states that headteachers may grant leave of absence for the purpose of family holidays during term time, but they are not obliged to do so.&nbsp;It also states that the application must be made in advance and the headteacher must be satisfied that there are special circumstances which warrant the leave. The Department does not seek to prescribe what constitutes special circumstances; this is for each school to decide.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> The Department looks to schools themselves to consider each request for holiday absence on its merits.&nbsp;Each request can only be judged on a case-by-case basis taking into account individual circumstances, such as the child&#39;s attainment, attendance and ability to catch up on missed lessons and the proximity of key dates for tests and examinations. While leave of absence might be granted for a holiday during term time, it is granted entirely at the headteacher&#39;s discretion.<br /> &nbsp;</p> ]]> false Headteacher Parents and carers English 2012-01-03T14:45:38