Leave of absence during term time for exceptional circumstances
The Department of Education (DFE) published updated statutory guidance on School Attendance in August 2024.
The new guidance states that a school has the discretion to grant ‘Leave of Absence during Term’ although this should only be in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
The DFE makes clear that generally, a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose leisure or recreation would not constitute an expectational circumstance.
When an application in advance for ‘Leave of Absence’ is received, a school is required to look at each case individually, taking all the circumstances and background context into account.
It’s up to the school how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.
Parents do not have a legal right to take their children out of school in order to go on holiday.
If you take your child out of school for a family holiday without the school’s prior authorisation, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and noted in your child’s school records.
If your child goes on an authorised family holiday yet fails to return by the agreed date any extra time absent from school will be counted as unauthorised.
If your child fails to return within 10 days of the expected date of return, then the school may consider removing your child from the school roll and notify us accordingly.
If your child is absent from school on a family holiday without authorisation the school may ask us to serve a penalty notice. Find out more about penalty notices.