The Government has issued guidance to headteachers. This states that leave of absence for holidays can only be grated in exceptional cases.
- By law, school staff must consider the academic and educational needs of the child, before they agree to any request.
- If an absence will have implications for the child's future learning or educational welfare, permission cannot be granted.
See: School term dates.
Parents considerations
Before taking your child out of school during term time, it is essential you give careful consideration to possible consequences.
Children out of school for holidays may miss significant chances to learning. This affects subsequent understanding of the subject and the ability to progress and participate in the future.
In some cases such absence disrupts friendship patterns with classmates and peers. This leaves pupils feeling isolated and vulnerable on their return.
Pupils who have various forms of special needs provision may find extended periods of absence:
- particularly disruptive to future learning;
- and the re-establishment of a stable and consistent learning regime.
The legal position
Parents of children who are registered pupils at a school have a legal duty to make sure they attend regularly. The Government has issued guidance to headteachers. This says that they should only grant absence for holidays in exceptional cases.
The law requires that school staff consider the academic and educational needs of the child before agreeing to such requests. If it appears that the proposed absence will have implications for the child's future learning, permission cannot be granted.
If parents take holidays in term time without prior permission, headteachers are instructed to mark absence as unauthorised:
- in school registers;
- and pupil records.
Important note: This absence can mean parents are liable to prosecution.
In exceptional circumstances permission for holidays may be granted for a limited period. If a pupil fails to return on the agreed date, they can be removed from the school roll.
The responsibilities of headteachers
They must consider the effect on the child's learning and educational progress, before granting leave of absence. Things that will be taken into account are:
- Child's age.
- Duration of leave.
- Child's educational ability and attainment.
- Educational outcomes and consequences.
They are not likely to grant leave when pupils are:
- Preparing or engaged in Standard Assessment Tests (SATs).
- During transition years (year 6 primary and year 7 secondary).
- Doing course work for GCSE (years 10 and 11).
If you have more questions
Please contact your local: Education Welfare Service.