Leave of Absence Request
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Requests for leave of absence during term time should only be made in very rare circumstances and other options to avoid your child missing their education have been explored.
Very rare circumstances typically do not include:
- Holidays
- Visiting family/friends
- Attending events including weddings
- Parent work commitment
- Parental medical treatment
- Religious trips
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Any extended leave from school is likely to have a detrimental effect on students, for example:
- Gaps in learning: Missing lessons makes it harder for children to keep up with the curriculum
- Loss of routine and structure: Regular attendance helps maintain good habits, focus, and engagement with learning
- Social development: School is vital for friendships and teamwork. Long absences can lead to isolation and difficulties reintegrating
- Lower academic achievement: Extended absence often results in reduced progress and poorer outcomes in assessments and exams
The graph shows data from last year’s Year 11 cohort, clearly illustrating the link between attendance and GCSE grades.
Attendance vs attainment graph
If you still wish to proceed with the request for leave of absence, please click 'continue':
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We recognise that many of our students have strong links abroad – there are fourteen weeks holiday which we feel is ample time for holidays or family visits.
Extended leave of absence taken during term time will not be authorised unless the school considers there to be exceptional circumstances supporting the application.
The final decision as to whether the request is considered to be exceptional lies with the Headteacher.
If you still wish to proceed with the request for leave of absence, please click 'continue':
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Parents and carers are reminded that extended leave of absence during term time taken without permission will result in unauthorised absence and may lead to a Penalty Notice being issued by the Local Authority. This is a fine of £80 which rises to £160 if it is not paid within 21 days, these are issued to each parent for each child. Failure to pay a Penalty Notice may result in prosecution.
If for any reason your child’s absence exceeds 20 school days in total, their name may be removed from our school roll, in accordance with the Local Authority’s Child Missing from Education (CME) procedures.
If you still wish to proceed with the request for leave of absence, please click 'continue':
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If you still wish to submit a request for leave of absence then please complete the form below.
Requests for leave of absence during term time should be submitted within four weeks of the start of the proposed leave of absence. Separate request should be completed for each student if there is more than one request.
Requests for leave of absence should include detail that allows for an informed decision to be made, please also include any supporting documentation.
Leave of Absence Form
Please complete the form below with as much information as possible.
If you are having any trouble completing this form please contact our Attendance Team directly: attendance@levenshulmehigh.co.uk
