Folks, I want to take a moment to explain our position on term-time leave, because it’s an area that brings understandable stress for families and, increasingly, difficult conversations for school too.
Let me start by saying this clearly: I understand why families sometimes consider holidays during term time. For some, it’s about affordability. For others, family circumstances or logistics make it feel unavoidable. I don’t dismiss that; I certainly don’t judge it, and I fully get the benefits of travel. Its ace.
Where leave is exceptional and genuinely unavoidable, we do try to respond with discretion and humanity. At times, we may even appear to “turn a blind eye” where we reasonably can. That is done carefully, and always with the child’s best interests at heart.
However, I also need to be honest about the limits of our role.
Schools do not have the authority to authorise holidays during term time as a matter of choice. That position is set in law, not by the school. Where patterns of term-time holiday emerge — particularly more than one term time holiday in an academic year — we are required to pass the paperwork to the Local Authority for their consideration. What happens next sits entirely with them, not with us.
I want to be very clear about this:
when Sharon, Rob or I submit information to the Local Authority, we are not issuing fines, recommending penalties, or making judgements about families. We are fulfilling a statutory duty. The outcome, including any fine, is not our decision.
I’m also honest enough to say that this system doesn’t sit comfortably with me either. It can feel as though it places school and families on opposing sides, when that’s the very last place I, and indeed the vast majority of you, want us to be. That is not the relationship we've spent years building.
At the same time, I need to name a concern. Occasionally, when families feel under pressure, there’s a temptation to report sickness instead. I understand why that happens, but it places children in a very difficult position, and it puts strain on classrooms and staff in ways that aren’t fair or sustainable.
This is not a great situation for anyone.
So my ask is a simple one:
Please avoid term-time holidays wherever you can. Where something truly unavoidable arises, talk to us early. Where patterns begin to form, understand that we no longer have discretion, and the paperwork must be passed on.
How families choose to respond to that reality is, ultimately, exactly that - their choice. Our responsibility is to be transparent, consistent, and child-centred.
Thank you for reading this in the spirit it’s intended, not as a warning, but as an honest explanation of a system none of us designed, but all of us have to navigate.
As ever, if you’re unsure or worried, please speak to us.
Andy
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