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Term-time holiday rules: Breaks 'in rare cases only' | Term-time holiday rules: Breaks 'in rare cases only' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Holidays for pupils in term-time should only be granted in circumstances that are "rare, unavoidable, significant and short", says a head teachers' union. | |
But more clarification was needed over the current rules, which allow such breaks in England under "exceptional circumstances", the NAHT added. | But more clarification was needed over the current rules, which allow such breaks in England under "exceptional circumstances", the NAHT added. |
The union has published its detailed guidance on term-time holiday requests. | The union has published its detailed guidance on term-time holiday requests. |
The Department for Education said there were "no plans at all to change the policy". | |
Since September 2013, local authorities have been obliged to fine families who take children out of school for unauthorised absences. | Since September 2013, local authorities have been obliged to fine families who take children out of school for unauthorised absences. |
Many parents complain the rules are confusing and inflexible, and encourage travel firms to raise prices during school holidays. | Many parents complain the rules are confusing and inflexible, and encourage travel firms to raise prices during school holidays. |
On Friday the Local Government Association urged the new rules to be scrapped, saying these did not recognise the complexities of family life. | On Friday the Local Government Association urged the new rules to be scrapped, saying these did not recognise the complexities of family life. |
The NAHT said most of its members would welcome more detailed guidance. | The NAHT said most of its members would welcome more detailed guidance. |
Heads' discretion | Heads' discretion |
"There is some debate about what 'exceptional circumstances' mean when deciding whether to grant absence for students during term time," the union's guidance said. | "There is some debate about what 'exceptional circumstances' mean when deciding whether to grant absence for students during term time," the union's guidance said. |
"We believe it is valuable to have some guiding principles to back schools in their decisions and provide consistency." | "We believe it is valuable to have some guiding principles to back schools in their decisions and provide consistency." |
The NAHT stressed the guidance had no statutory authority and was not imposed on schools. However, it is in line with government policy in emphasising that term-time is for education. | The NAHT stressed the guidance had no statutory authority and was not imposed on schools. However, it is in line with government policy in emphasising that term-time is for education. |
"Children and families have 175 days off school to spend time together, including weekends and school holidays," the union said. | "Children and families have 175 days off school to spend time together, including weekends and school holidays," the union said. |
"The default school policy should be that absences will not be granted during term-time and will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances." | "The default school policy should be that absences will not be granted during term-time and will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances." |
The guidance said bereavements, recovering from family crises and important religious observances should usually be considered - but breaks should be only for the ceremony and travel, "not extended leave". | The guidance said bereavements, recovering from family crises and important religious observances should usually be considered - but breaks should be only for the ceremony and travel, "not extended leave". |
"This is intended for one-off situations, not for regular or recurring events," it added. | "This is intended for one-off situations, not for regular or recurring events," it added. |
'No U-turn' | 'No U-turn' |
The NAHT's general secretary, Russell Hobby, said: "Head teachers already have discretion over the granting of absence during term time. | The NAHT's general secretary, Russell Hobby, said: "Head teachers already have discretion over the granting of absence during term time. |
"They rightly prioritise learning over holidays. Head teachers are able to - and do - authorise absence in exceptional circumstances. | "They rightly prioritise learning over holidays. Head teachers are able to - and do - authorise absence in exceptional circumstances. |
"The fundamental principles for defining 'exceptional' are where requests are rare, significant, unavoidable and short." | "The fundamental principles for defining 'exceptional' are where requests are rare, significant, unavoidable and short." |
The guidance was designed to "help with making individual decisions about granting authorised absence in term-time", he added. | The guidance was designed to "help with making individual decisions about granting authorised absence in term-time", he added. |
A Department for Education spokesman said the guidance clearly supported the current policy, and term-time holidays "should only be granted in exceptional circumstances". | A Department for Education spokesman said the guidance clearly supported the current policy, and term-time holidays "should only be granted in exceptional circumstances". |
"There are no plans at all to change the policy and no U-turn. | "There are no plans at all to change the policy and no U-turn. |
"Head teachers have always been able to decide what exceptional circumstances are, but if they find that the NAHT's guidance assists them in making this judgement then we welcome that." | "Head teachers have always been able to decide what exceptional circumstances are, but if they find that the NAHT's guidance assists them in making this judgement then we welcome that." |
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