Term-time holiday guidance

All absence from school affects your child’s education. Taking a child on holiday during term time could mean:

• Your child missing out on important school work which will be difficult to catch up
• creating more work for your child and the teachers; and
• it affecting other pupils’ learning.

LEAs and schools discourage taking holidays in term time. You need to discuss holiday requests with the head.

Pupils/ parents do not have a right to holiday during term time. Only schools have discretion to grant leave of absence for the purpose of family holidays in term time.

Each request can only be judged on a case by case basis taking into account individual circumstances, such as the child's attainment, attendance and the ability to catch up.

This page was last updated on 3 October 2009