Attendance & Holidays in Term Time

Attendance

At Tarporley CE Primary School, we believe that good attendance is essential to helping every child 'Let Their Lights Shine'.

Regular attendance supports children's learning, wellbeing, friendships and progress.

We expect children to attend school regularly and on time. Every school day matters, and we work closely with parents and carers to promote good attendance and support children and families where attendance becomes a concern.

When your child is unwell

Children should attend school when they are well enough to do so. However, children who are too unwell to attend or who may pass an infection to others should remain at home.

If your child is absent from school, please inform the school office by 9.00am on the first day of absence, giving the reason for the absence. You should continue to provide an update if your child's absence continues.

For guidance on whether your child is well enough to attend school, please refer to the NHS guidance on illness and school attendance.

If your child has vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they must not return to school until 48 hours after the last episode. This follows NHS and national infection-control guidance.

We follow national guidance on infection prevention and control in schools and work to minimise the spread of illness within our school community.

Medical and dental appointments

Where possible, medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours.

Where this is not possible, parents/carers should inform the school in advance. The school may authorise absence for appropriate medical or dental appointments in accordance with the statutory attendance guidance.

Parents/carers should provide evidence of the appointment where requested.

When absence may be questioned

We understand that children will sometimes need to be absent because they are genuinely unwell or for another unavoidable reason.

However, where a pattern of absence causes concern, the school may discuss this with parents/carers and may request further information or evidence where appropriate. We will work with families to understand any barriers to attendance and provide support where needed.

Our aim is always to work supportively and collaboratively with families to improve attendance and ensure that children do not miss out on their education.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

The law does not give parents/carers an automatic right to take their child out of school during term time.

Headteachers may only grant a leave of absence during term time where there are exceptional circumstances. Each request will be considered individually, taking account of the circumstances and the child's attendance record.

Parents/carers should make any request for leave of absence before making arrangements or booking travel. Requests should be made using the school's Leave of Absence Request Form.

The Headteacher will determine whether the circumstances are exceptional and, if leave is granted, the number of days for which the absence is authorised.

Parents/carers should not assume that a request for leave of absence will be authorised.

Family holidays

Family holidays and other leisure activities will not normally be considered exceptional circumstances and should not be arranged during term time.

Where a child is taken out of school without the absence being authorised, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Parents/carers may be subject to a penalty notice issued by the Local Authority where the national threshold and other requirements are met. The national framework for penalty notices has applied since 19 August 2024.

Arrangements for collecting your child

If someone other than a parent/carer is going to collect your child from school, please inform the school in advance and provide the name of the person collecting them.

Useful information for parents

For further information about school attendance and supporting your child's attendance, please see:

Working Together to Improve School Attendance – Department for Education (GOV.UK)

NHS – Diarrhoea and vomiting (nhs.uk)

TERM DATES 2026/27

Autumn 2026

INSET DAY 1 - Tuesday 1 September
INSET DAY 2 – Wednesday 2 September
Thursday 3 September – Friday 23 October
Half Term: Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October
INSET DAY 3 - Monday 2 November
Tuesday 3 November – Friday 18 December
Friday 18 December – School closes 1.30pm
Christmas Holiday: Monday 21 December – Friday 1 January

Spring 2027

INSET DAY 4 - Monday 4 January
Tuesday 5 January - Friday 12 February
Half Term: Monday 15 February – Friday 19 February
Monday 22 February – Thursday 25 March
Thursday 25 March – School closes 1.30pm
Spring Break: Friday 26 March – Friday 9 April (Bank Holiday - Good Friday 26 March)

Summer 2027