Relax the criteria for exceptional circumstances for absence during term time.

Rejected 14 signatures

What the petition asks

Exceptional circumstances should cover any family member rather than just immediate relatives. A points based system would be fairer and be based on attendance and punctuality, to provide the opportunity for parents to qualify their child for a very minimal amount of days per year to use as leave.

Currently in the UK, part of the criteria for Exceptional Circumstances for absence during term time specifies any leave will only be considered, if the reason for absence given is connected to an immediate relative such as parents/carers, grandparents or siblings.

Children can be close to ANY member of their family and should have the right to be absent for any event connected to them, provided significant evidence is presented to the school, and the timescale does not disrupt their learning.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can only accept petitions which call for actions that are the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

It's for individual Headteachers to decide whether to authorise absences during term-time and how to define "exceptional circumstances".

You could raise the issue with the Headteacher or senior school leadership team concerned in your case.

Or you could start a new petition calling for a clear action that is the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament. For a example, a new petition calling for a particular definition of "exceptional circumstances" to be set out in legislation or guidance.

Timeline

12 Jun 2019	Petition opened for signatures
15 Jul 2019	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 14

Status Rejected

Rejected 15 Jul 2019

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