Children are required by law to receive 190 days education per year. Regular attendance at school is vital for your child’s progress, and you have a legal responsibility to see that your child is in school and on time every day.

Please telephone the school on the first day of your child’s absence to let us know why your child is absent.

A list of school holidays is issued every year and family holidays should be planned within these dates.  As a Camden School we adhere to the local authority’s policy on exceptional leave which clearly advises that term time absences can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

It is important that you should be aware that, if you take your child out of school without authorisation, the matter will be referred to Attendance Children out of School (ACOS). Under Section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996, ACOS may issue a Penalty Notice/s.

If issued with a first penalty notice, the parent must pay £80 within 21 days, or £160 within 28 days.

If a second penalty notice is issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil, the parent must pay £160 if paid within 28 days.

A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of the issue of the first penalty notice. In a case where the national threshold is met for a third time within those 3 years, alternative action will be taken instead.

Any leave of absence must be agreed by the Head of School. ONLY the Head of School can authorise a period of leave and cannot authorise term time holidays. 

To apply for leave of absence to visit Secondary Schools please download a  Leave form for Secondary School Visits