Children should attend school for 190 days each year, and every day is important. Please help them not to miss any of this valuable time. We hope that the answers to your questions below will show that your child's education is too important to take holidays during term time.
Can I take my child on holiday during term time?
As a parent/carer, you can demonstrate your commitment to your child's education by, whenever possible, taking your holidays during school holidays. If this is not possible, please avoid taking your child on holiday at times when he or she should be taking exams or tests.
Why shouldn't I take my child away during term time?
It is important that children attend school regularly if they are to benefit from the learning opportunities provided.
Children who are absent from school due to a holiday in term time will miss out on important learning.
The time teachers have to help all the children in a class is reduced if they spend time helping a child to catch up after a holiday.
Educational experiences in school missed as a result of a family holiday cannot be re-captured later.
If your child does not attend school regularly, he/she will not be able to keep up with the work. This will have a serious impact on opportunities later in life.
Will the school let me take my child away during term time?
You should not expect your child's school to agree to a family holiday during term time. The school will carefully consider your request, and they may take your child's current educational needs and attendance record into account. Link
Only in exceptional circumstances will a headteacher agree to your child missing more than a total of ten school days for a family holiday.
What happens if the school does not agree?
If the school does not agree, your child's absence will be marked as "unauthorised" in the school register. This record of attendance forms part of his/her Record of Achievement. The absences may even be mentioned in references provided by the school to employers or colleges. It may also cause the school to refer your child to the County Council's Education Welfare Services.
Who can I speak to about this?
Please contact your child's headteacher if you wish to discuss this issue.
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