Absences adversely affect the progress that students make. One of the most important things you can do for your child is make sure that they attend School regularly and on time. It is only the Head of School that can authorise an absence from School. Please read the Harington School policy on attendance and term-time absence.

We are only able to authorise time off School in EXCEPTIONAL, once-in-a-lifetime circumstances. The Head of School cannot authorise a planned absence retrospectively. It is unlikely that an absence will be granted if a student’s attendance is currently below 97% or if the absence would bring them below this figure. Permission will not be given if the reason is because of cost e.g. it is cheaper to get flights during term time.

The following are indicative of acceptable reasons for requesting an absence:

  • A hospital appointment which cannot be arranged outside of School hours.
  • To attend the funeral of a relative.
  • To participate and represent the School in a significant academic, music or sporting event.
  • To attend a post-18 interview linked to a chosen career path.
  • Driving tests.
  • Planned work experience during private study.

Students may attend open days at universities during the School week only if visiting at weekends is unavailable. Students are not permitted time off School for driving lessons, this includes tutorial and private study.

Unauthorised absence will form part of a student’s record. It is often difficult for students to catch up with work as they miss out on the interaction with the teacher and other students.

Please note that we may need to ask for additional evidence to support any request and therefore require that they are made at least 10 working days in advance of the planned absence.

To apply for a term time absence please click here to download the form and return the completed form to the Harington School Office.

2024/25

TERM 1Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 26 August 2024
School Opens Thursday 29 August 2024
School Closes Friday 18 October 2024
TERM 2School Opens Monday 4 November 2024
School Closes Friday 20 December 2024
TERM 3School Opens Monday 6 January 2025
School Closes Friday 14 February 2025
TERM 4School Opens Monday 24 February 2025
School Closes Friday 4 April 2025
Good Friday Bank Holiday – Friday 18 April 2025
Easter Monday Bank Holiday – Monday 21 April 2025
TERM 5School Opens Tuesday 22 April 2025
May Bank Holiday – Monday 5 May 2025
School Closes Friday 23 May 2025
TERM 6School Opens Monday 2 June 2025
School Closes Friday 11 July 2025

2025/26

TERM 1Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 25 August 2025
School Opens Thursday 28 August 2025
School Closes Friday 17 October 2025
TERM 2School Opens Monday 3 November 2025
School Closes Friday 19 December 2025
TERM 3School Opens Monday 5 January 2026
School Closes Friday 13 February 2026
TERM 4School Opens Monday 23 February 2026
School Closes Thursday 2 April 2026
Good Friday Bank Holiday – Friday 3 April 2026
Easter Monday Bank Holiday – Monday 6 April 2026
TERM 5School Opens Monday 20 April 2026
May Bank Holiday – Monday 4 May 2026
School Closes Friday 22 May 2026
TERM 6School Opens Monday 1 June 2026
School Closes Friday 10 July 2026

2026/27

TERM 1Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 31 August 2026
School Opens Thursday 3 September 2026
School Closes Friday 16 October 2026
TERM 2School Opens Monday 2 November 2026
School Closes Friday 18 December 2026
TERM 3Bank Holiday – Friday 1 January 2027
School Opens Monday 4 January 2027
School Closes Friday 12 February 2027
TERM 4School Opens Monday 22 February 2027
School Closes Thursday 25 March 2027
Good Friday Bank Holiday – Friday 26 March 2027
Easter Monday Bank Holiday – Monday 29 March 2027
TERM 5School Opens Monday 12 April 2027
May Bank Holiday – Monday 3 May 2027
School Closes Friday 28 May 2027
May Bank Holiday – Monday 31 May 2027
TERM 6School Opens Monday 7 June 2027
School Closes Friday 16 July 2027