The Commissioner, upon application of parents or guardians, may give leave either at Christmas or Whitsuntide for three weeks. Any scholar who absents himself at other times, even by leave, or breaks his leave, shall lose the time. Absence without leave shall be punished by expulsion or otherwise by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Article XXVII.
After one year scholars shall be excused from school two afternoons in each week, and the Commissioner shall direct one of the masters attendant to carry them one afternoon into the rigging house, storehouses, and sail lofts, and to take them afloat, etc.
Article XXVIII.
On another afternoon the master shipwright is to instruct them in ship construction, etc.
Article XXIX.
The Commissioner may order a vessel of small size to be placed near, and make the scholars rig and unrig her; and two guns are to be placed on board, with powder and shot and all accessories, with an experienced gunner from a ship-in-ordinary to instruct them.
Article XXX.
No scholar is to remain less than two, or more than three, years, except the sons of sea officers, who must remain three, and may remain five, years, unless they have finished their plan sooner and their parents desire them to go to sea. But they are not in any case to remain beyond the age of seventeen. In the first week of March each year an account of the qualification of each scholar is to be sent in, with a view to sending him to sea if qualified.