Leave Policy
Leave Policy
Due to the stricter regulations regarding leave outside regular school holidays and the associated controls, we ask you to carefully read the guidelines for this extra leave. Recently, an increasing number of requests have been made that cannot be approved, simply because they do not meet the guidelines. The school management is not free to deviate from the Compulsory Education Act, except in exceptional cases.
Can my child get time off outside of school holidays?
Guidelines for leave outside of school holidays:
1. Vacation leave (art.13a/art. 11 under f:)
A request for vacation leave based on Article 13a of the Compulsory Education Act 1969 must be submitted to the school principal at least eight weeks in advance. The principal decides on the request.
Leave is only granted if:
- due to the specific nature of the profession of one of the parents, it is only possible to go on vacation outside the school holidays and
- an employer’s statement is provided showing that no leave is possible within the established school holidays.
Vacation leave may, within these conditions:
- be granted once per school year and
- not exceed ten school days. The legislator’s position is that a family is entitled to a joint vacation of two weeks in each school year, which should not take place in the first two weeks of the school year and only if it concerns the only vacation of the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the child(ren) together in that school year.
2. Other compelling circumstances: ten school days or less per school year
(art.14/art. 11 under g.) A request for extra leave in case of other compelling circumstances for ten school days or less per school year must be submitted to the principal/rector of the school in advance or at the latest within two days after the occurrence of the impediment. The principal decides on the request. For ‘other’ compelling circumstances, the following guidelines apply:
- For relocation: maximum 1 school day;
- For compliance with legal obligations, insofar as this cannot be done outside school hours: no maximum term;
- For attending the wedding of a blood relative or in-law up to and including the 3rd degree;
- in the Netherlands maximum 1-2 school days (within the region 1 day, outside the region 2 days) abroad maximum 5 school days;
- In case of serious life-threatening illness without prospect of recovery of a blood relative or in-law up to and including the 3rd degree: no maximum term;
- In case of death of a blood relative or in-law;
- 1st degree maximum 5 school days
- 2nd degree maximum 2 school days
- 3rd and 4th degree maximum 1 school day
- abroad: 1st to 4th degree maximum 5 school days;
- For 25th, 40th or 50th work anniversary and the 12 1/2th, 25th, 40th, 50th and 60th wedding anniversary of parent(s)/guardian(s) or grandparents; maximum 1 school day;
For other circumstances deemed compelling by the principal/truancy officer, but not for vacation leave; no maximum term set.
3. Other compelling circumstances: more than ten school days per school year (art.14/art.11 under g.)
A request for extra leave in case of other compelling circumstances for more than ten school days per school year must be submitted at least six weeks in advance, through the school principal, to the truancy officer of the municipality where the student resides. The truancy officer decides on the request (based on art. 14, paragraph 3 of the Compulsory Education Act 1969).
Leave can be granted, for example, if:
The parents of the student can provide a statement from a doctor or social worker indicating that leave is necessary due to medical or social circumstances of (one of) the family members. The determining criterion for ‘compelling circumstances’ is particularly whether the circumstances are beyond the control of the student subject to compulsory education or their parents.
