School Dates

School Term Dates Academic Years 2009/2010 2010/2011

SCHOOL CLOSED	From Monday 26^th July for the Summer break
AUTUMN TERM 2010
SCHOOL OPEN SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL OPEN		Thursday 2^nd September – Friday 22^nd October Monday 25^th – Friday 29^th October Monday 1^st November – Wednesday 22^nd December
SPRING TERM 2011
SCHOOL OPEN SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL OPEN		Tuesday 4^th January – Friday 18^th February Monday 21^st – Friday 25^th February Monday 28^th February – Friday 8^th April
SUMMER TERM 2011
SCHOOL OPEN SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL CLOSED (2 weeks) SCHOOL OPEN SCHOOL CLOSED		Tuesday 26^th April – Friday 20^th May Monday 2^nd May - Bank Holiday Monday 23^rd May – Friday 3^rd June Monday 6th June – Friday 22^nd July From Monday 25^th July for the Summer break

Please note that 3PD days are to be added in due course.

Middlesbrough Council

Guidance on the Sanctioning/Non-Sanction

of Pupil Holidays in School Term Time

Middlesbrough Local Authority and Sacred Heart Primary School are committed to the notion that ‘Every Schoolday Matters’. Consequently, the Local Authority recommends that schools do not authorise any holidays in school term time unless the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the pupil(s) who will be absent from school can justify their request based on the occurrence of special circumstances.

Special circumstances will not be considered unless parents/guardians wishing to book a holiday in term time have contacted school to explain the circumstances surrounding the request at least four school working weeks in advance of the first day of the holiday.

Special circumstances will be judged on merit according to the individual case and will be influenced by factors such as the circumstances of the parent(s) working commitments, religious and/or other cultural considerations, the number of days absence requested and/or special family circumstances.

Holidays will not be authorised, even if special circumstances have occurred, if one or more of the pupils involved has a track record of high unauthorised absence, high authorised absence without medical justification, or is likely to be designated as a persistent absentee (less than 80% attendance).

A period of holiday for more than ten school days will only be considered in the light of exceptional circumstances occurring which makes it imperative that the pupil(s) attend specific events for family or for other reasons.

If parents proceed with an unauthorised holiday

Should parents proceed with an unauthorised holiday, resulting in the pupil(s) either falling below minimum school expectations or being designated as a persistent absentee, then we will make use of appropriate legal powers, which are available including parental contracts and via the local authority, for issuing of warning letters and fixed penalty notices.

Middlesbrough Council Request for leave of absence form.

HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME Did you know? l The law says that parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for holidays during term time l Only in the most exceptional circumstances will schools sanction holidays in term time l If you take your child out of school without permission or if your child is away longer than agreed it could result in you being issued with a Fixed Penalty Fine of £50 to £100. The Head Teacher could also withdraw your child’s name from the school roll, which would result in you having to apply to a different school for your child. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Did you know? As a parent/carer it is your legal responsibility to make sure that your child attends school regularly. By law all children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) are required to receive an education You should consider l If your child misses one day they are already behind in their school work l Missing the odd day can become a habit – which is difficult to break l If your child is not in school, where are they? l Regular absence becomes persistent absence WHAT IS PERSISTENT ABSENCE? l Attendance of around 80% will mean that your child is missing an average of 1 day of school each week. l If this level of attendance continues over the 5 years of your child’s time at secondary school, he or she will have lost a whole school year of teaching. l Ultimately this level of absence from school will have a serious effect upon you child’s final examination results and could mean the difference of 1 or 2 grades.

What can you do to help? l Make sure that your child goes to school regularly, arrives on time and keeps to the school rules l Show your child that you think school is very important l If your child is absent, you must tell the school why. You can do this by telephone, letter or by going into school l Only take holidays during school holiday times l Take an interest in your child’s school work l DON’T IGNORE THE WARNING SIGNS! If your child is telling you that they don’t like school or they don’t want to go, they could be having problems with bullying, their work, relationships, in or out of school or even playing truant. Don’t delay – contact his/her teacher, head teacher or Education Welfare Officer. They are here to help. Remember! l The law says that as a parent/carer, it is your responsibility to make sure your child attends school regularly. l Your child only has one chance. Help them to make the most of it! Ask Yourself! l Is there always a valid reason for your child’s absence from school? l If your child is not at home and not in school, where are they? what are they doing? l Are you doing the best that you can to ensure that your child is in school regularly?

IS YOUR CHILD WORKING? Your child may want to earn some extra pocket money. Here are the rules that apply to children of compulsory school age: Children may not work: l without an employment permit issued by the Local Authority Children, Familes and Learning Department l in an industrial setting, e.g. factory, industrial site etc. l during school hours l for more than one hour before school l for more than four hours without taking a break of at least one hour l in any occupation prohibited by the local by-laws or other legislation, e.g. pubs, betting shops l in any work that may be harmful to their health, well-being or education l without having a two week break from any work during the school holidays in any calendar year For more information on child employment and an application form for a work permit please contact 01642 201867 or Education Welfare on 01642 201840 If you l have concerns about your child’s attendance l need help or advice Please contact the Education Welfare Office - we are here to support you. Every day your child is absent impacts on their education and possible life chances and opportunities in the future.

REMEMBER - your child has a right to an education,

make sure that they get it!