Permission for Child's Time Off in Term Time Due to Holiday

Can You Take Your Child Out of School for a Holiday?

Many families consider booking holidays during term time because prices drop significantly once the school holidays end. The cost difference between term time and holiday bookings can often reach hundreds of pounds. However, since the 2013 amendment to The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, headteachers may only grant leave for exceptional circumstances. This is not simply an absence of automatic rights but a specific legislative restriction on when absence can be authorised.

The Education Act places a legal duty on parents to ensure their child receives a full time education. If your child is enrolled at a school, they fulfil this requirement by attending. The law treats regular attendance as a priority, and holidays are not considered a valid reason for absence in most circumstances.

While schools have some discretion to authorise absences, these are strictly limited to exceptional circumstances. Understanding how schools assess these requests can help you decide whether to apply and how to approach the process.

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When Schools May Grant Permission

Headteachers can authorise absence in exceptional circumstances, though what qualifies as exceptional is determined by each headteacher's discretion rather than being strictly defined by law. This means there is variance between schools. A standard family holiday, even if it represents good value, will not usually meet this threshold. Schools are specifically advised not to approve absences simply because the holiday is cheaper during term time.

Circumstances that may be considered exceptional include:

• A close family wedding taking place abroad where travel during school holidays is not possible
• A family bereavement or serious illness of a relative overseas
• A parent serving in the armed forces where leave dates cannot be changed
• A unique family event that cannot reasonably happen at another time

Each school sets its own policy within the legal framework. Some schools take a stricter approach than others, so it is worth checking your school's attendance policy, which should be available on their website or from the school office.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

What Schools Consider When Deciding

When a headteacher receives a request for term time absence, they will typically look at several factors before making a decision.

Your child's overall attendance record matters. If your child already has a history of missed days, the school is less likely to approve additional absence. A strong attendance record may work in your favour, though it does not guarantee approval.

The timing of the absence is crucial, particularly during exam periods, SATs weeks, or the initial weeks of a new school year. Requests during these periods are much more likely to be refused because they are considered particularly disruptive to a child's education.

The length of the proposed absence plays a role too. A request for two days may be viewed differently from a request for two weeks. Longer absences mean more missed learning and are harder for schools to support. Children who miss school can fall behind on important curriculum content and experience social disruption when they return.

Schools will also consider the reason you have given. Vague explanations are less persuasive than specific details about why the trip cannot happen during school holidays. Clearly explain any authentic, time sensitive reasons in your request.

Schools also have their own interests in maintaining high attendance rates. Unauthorised absences affect the school's overall attendance record, which can impact Ofsted assessments. This gives schools an additional reason to be cautious about granting leave.

How to Make a Request

If you believe your circumstances are genuinely exceptional, you should make a formal written request to the headteacher. Most schools have a specific form for this purpose, often called a leave of absence request form. Ask the school office if you are unsure.

In your request, explain the situation honestly and include any relevant dates. Be specific about why the absence cannot be avoided and why it must fall within term time. Submit your request as early as possible to give the school time to consider it properly.

The headteacher will respond in writing with their decision. If the absence is not authorised and you take your child out of school anyway, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Unauthorised absences can result in a penalty notice issued by the local authority. The standard fine is £60 per parent per child if paid within 21 days, doubling to £120 if paid between 22 and 28 days. After this period, you can be prosecuted for your child's absence.

In serious or repeated cases, parents can face prosecution, leading to larger fines or a criminal record. Local authorities have their own policies on when they escalate matters, so consequences can vary depending on where you live.

If you are considering term time absence for any reason, speaking to your child's school early in the process is usually the best approach. They can explain their policy and give you a realistic sense of whether your request is likely to be approved.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our School Letter Writer lets you describe any situation and get a personalised letter to your child's school. Takes 2 minutes. Try it now →