Requesting Leave of Absence

Parents and carers should avoid taking their child out of school during term time wherever possible. If you need to request a leave of absence, you must submit a request to the school before the absence takes place and with as much notice as possible. 

The Headteacher is the only person who can authorise a leave of absence during term time, and leave can only be authorised where the circumstances are considered exceptional. Each request will be considered individually, taking into account the information and any supporting evidence provided by the family. 

Submitting a Leave of Absence request does not mean that the absence has been authorised. Parents and carers should wait until they have received the Headteacher’s decision before assuming that permission has been granted. 

Term-time holidays are not considered an exceptional circumstance and will not normally be authorised. 

For further information about Denbigh School’s approach to attendance and requests for leave during term time, please refer to our Attendance Policy. – Policies – Denbigh School – Milton Keynes

How to Submit a Leave of Absence Request

All Leave of Absence requests should be submitted using our online Leave of Absence Request Form below. Please submit your request with as much notice as possible before the proposed absence.

[Complete the Leave of Absence Request Form] 

If you are requesting leave for more than one child who attends Denbigh School, a separate form must be completed for each child. 

The form will ask you to provide: 

• Your child’s details. 

• The start and end date of the requested absence. 

• The number of school days being requested. 

• The reason for requesting the leave. 

• Any additional information that you would like the Headteacher to consider. 

Depending on the reason for your request, we may also require supporting evidence. This may include documentation relating to circumstances such as a graduation, sporting event, travel disruption or other exceptional circumstances. 

Supporting evidence cannot currently be uploaded through the online form. Please email any relevant documentation to studentabsences@denbigh.net, clearly stating your child’s name so that we can match it to your request. 

Providing supporting evidence does not guarantee that a request will be authorised, but it allows the Headteacher to consider the circumstances of the request fully when making a decision. 

What happens after you submit a request?

Once your Leave of Absence request has been submitted, it will initially be reviewed by the Attendance Team. We will check that the information required has been provided and consider any supporting evidence you have submitted. 

Your request will then be passed to the Headteacher, who will make the final decision on whether the leave can be authorised. Each request is considered individually based on the circumstances and information provided. 

The Headteacher may decide that the request is: 

• Authorised – the requested absence has been approved. 

• Part-authorised – only part of the requested absence has been approved. 

• Unauthorised – the request has not been approved and the absence will be recorded as unauthorised if taken. 

Once a decision has been made, you will receive an email with a letter attached confirming the outcome of your request. 

If your request is not authorised and you choose to take your child out of school, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Depending on the circumstances and the level of unauthorised absence, further action may be considered. Please see our Term-Time Leave & Fixed Penalty Notices page for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered an exceptional circumstance? 
There is no set list of circumstances that will automatically be authorised. Each request is considered individually by the Headteacher, taking into account the reason for the request and any supporting evidence provided. 

I have already booked a holiday or trip. Will this affect the decision? 
No. A booking having already been made does not mean that the leave will be authorised. Parents and carers should not assume that permission will be granted because travel or accommodation has already been booked. 

What happens if my request is refused but I still take my child out of school? 
The absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Depending on the amount of unauthorised absence recorded, further action may be considered. Please see our Term-Time Leave & Fixed Penalty Notices page for more information.