Parents should inform the school before 08:30 hours by telephone or by sending an email to secondary@isecampus.nl if their child is sick or has a medical appointment (e.g. doctor, dentist, orthodontist, optician, blood test, etc.).
Doctors, dentists, orthodontists or other medical appointments should be made when possible outside of school hours. If that is not possible inform the school via email (secondary@isecampus.nl) of the absence before 0830 hours and preferably in advance.
Appointments with other organisations such as Embassies, the local council, or immigration authorities should be made during holidays or outside of school hours. If this is not possible then a Request for Leave Form should be completed and submitted in advance and with proof of the appointment even if it is not for a whole day.
Students are responsible for catching up with all work that is missed because of absence.
The ISE is a Dutch school and is therefore obliged to adhere to Dutch regulations. The Dutch Compulsory Education Act (leerplichtwet) requires parents to ensure that children attend school and the school and the city (gemeente) are required to monitor attendance. The ISE is only permitted to grant leave if a request for leave meets the strict criteria that is outlined in the regulations. Although we are often empathetic with the requests and needs of our parents, we have no choice but to follow the regulations otherwise the school will be held accountable by the Dutch School Inspectorate. We recognise that it would be beneficial to be able to extend a school holiday when you plan to travel to your home country in order to arrange various celebrations, appointments and rituals, however, the expectation is that these types of events are planned within the school holiday. Although we also appreciate that once a family has made a trip to their home country, it may be convenient to arrange as many different events as possible, however, the intention of the law does not permit adding up various circumstances to allow for additional leave.
There seems to be an assumption that students have the right to 10 days leave per school year. This is not the case. Each request for leave has to be considered in isolation, based on its own merits and must meet one of the criteria below. Not having ever previously submitted a request for leave is not a reason to grant leave. Students must never exceed more than 10 days leave in one school year without the approval of the School Attendance Officer.
Below is an overview of the general circumstances where the school is permitted to allow a leave of absence:
Extra leave for a family holiday
The school may give approval for an extra holiday outside the regular scheduled holidays, but this criteria is specifically intended for occupations that are tied to working during school holidays. Approval for such a request will only be given, if the family can provide a written, signed statement from the employer to confirm that it is not possible, due to the nature of the occupation, to take a holiday during a school holiday. This request cannot be used to add onto a school holiday nor can it take place in the first 2 weeks of a school year. The days requested must always be kept to the absolute minimum. Not being able to have visited home or to have taken a holiday due to the Covid restrictions is not a condition to allow a leave of absence.
Extra leave due to exceptional circumstances
The school may give approval for a leave of absence for exceptional circumstances such as marriages, funerals, special anniversaries or when a close family member is seriously ill.
Leave may be granted in the instance listed below:
A maximum of 1 day for moving house
In order to carry out legal obligations
To attend the wedding of a close family member (up to the 3rd degree) may be granted, but must only be for a maximum of 2 days if the wedding takes place in The Netherlands and for a maximum of 5 days if the wedding takes place outside of The Netherlands
In the case of a death in the family, however, this is up to a maximum of 5 days depending on the relationship and if there is a need to travel outside of The Netherlands
A maximum of 1 day to attend certain anniversaries for close family members
To attend to sick close family members (up to the 3rd degree) if the family member is seriously or terminally ill.
Please note that the fact that the event takes place in the 2nd or 3rd week after a school holiday ends does not mean leave for the days between the holiday end and the event will be granted.
Extra leave due to religious obligation
Leave for a religious obligation itself gives a right to a 1 day leave of absence. When parents are obliged to perform the ritual abroad, extra days were previously permitted for any necessary travel, however, this is no longer the case due to a change in Dutch regulations. It is now not possible for extra leave to be given to enable families to perform the ritual or ceremony outside of The Netherlands as it is decided by the Dutch authorities that the obligation can be fulfilled in The Netherlands.
Circumstances when leave will not be granted
A family reunion in or outside of The Netherlands
Birthdays of (great) grandparents
Because a sibling at another school is free
Cheap tickets outside of a school holiday
Request for leave for more than 10 days
Parents who request leave for more than 10 days are required to present their case directly to the school attendance officer. Please note that it does not matter if the leave request is for a period of more than 10 school days taken at one time, or a situation in which a new request for leave exceeds the 10-day limit per school year. In both cases, the request for leave must be approved by the school attendance officer.
Appealing against a decision by the school regarding leave
Parents always have the right to appeal against a decision. A written objection must be made within six weeks of the date on which this decision was sent. The notice of the objection must be signed and contained as well as the date, and the name and address of the submitter, grounds for objection and supporting evidence or additional information. Following this appeal a final decision will be made by the school. If parents disagree with the final decision made by the school they can carry out a process of appeal (Beroep) with the administrative judge (Bestuurrechter).
Process if a student is absent without the permission of the school
Any absences that are taken without the permission of the school will lead to a report to the School Attendance Officer. The School Attendance Officer will carry out an official inquiry. This inquiry will involve making contact with the school and inviting parents to discuss the matter. The School Attendance Officer will then make a conclusion which could result in a conclusion that the Compulsory Education law has been violated which could then lead to legal action (usually a fine) by the Prosecution Office.
It is important to point out that parents always have the final choice to take a student out of school without the permission of the school. However, this is on the understanding that the above process will be followed. The absence will be recorded by the school as unauthorised and reported to the School Attendance Officer.