Holidays in term

Head Teachers cannot authorise absence from school for a family holiday.

Head Teachers have the discretion to grant leave, but they should only do so in exceptional circumstances.

If a Head Teacher grants a leave request, it will be for them to determine the length of time that the child can be away from school.

This leave is unlikely, however, to be granted for the purposes of a family holiday.

Parents can be fined for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school.

Find out more about school attendance and penalty notices.