School Term Dates

Professional Development Days 2024 – 2025

In addition to the holidays listed in the Academy Term Dates 2024 – 2025 we have arranged the following Professional Development Days when school will be closed to pupils:

• Monday 2nd September 2024 - Annual Safeguarding Update /Attendance Training / PSHE Training
• Tuesday 3rd December  - Trust Training -  Art & Reading
• Monday 6th January 2025 - Trust Training tbc
• Monday 2nd June 2025 – Curriculum Development
• Wednesday 23rd July 2025 – Curriculum Review / School Development Review

Holidays & Leave of Absence in Term Time 

Any absence in term time destroys the continuity of the child’s education and reduces chances of success.

Parents are asked to take their annual holiday with their child during academy holidays.

Holidays in term time will not be authorised.

If there are reasons that prevent you from taking your holiday during the academy holiday period, the Headteacher can consider allowing leave of absence under exceptional circumstances.

What are exceptional circumstances?

Exceptional circumstances are one off events which are unavoidable, examples may include:

• the death of a close relative,
• attendance at a funeral,
• respite care of a looked after child,
• a housing crisis which prevents attendance.
• religious observance
• sporting events or performing arts competitions at county or national level, if the child is participating
• graduation ceremony of an immediate family member

Examples of circumstances NOT considered as exceptional

• Holidays abroad for the purpose of visiting a sick relative, excepting where that person is seriously ill. Medical evidence may be requested.
• Holidays taken in term time due to lower cost/parental work commitments.

It is the policy of Doncaster Council and Hawthorn  Local Governing Body to issue fixed penalty fines to parents who do take holidays in term time.

The parents of pupils in Year 6 (who take their end of year assessments in May) cannot apply for leave of absence during the 8 weeks prior to these examinations and any requests will not be granted, the absence will deemed as unauthorised and fixed penalty fines will be issued.

To apply for such a leave of absence – please ask at the School Office for an application form or download a PDF version of the form below  – which should then be completed and returned to school at least 6 weeks before the planned holiday.

Once a leave of absence form has been submitted a meeting with the Headteacher / Attendance Lead will be arranged.