Term Time Leave of Absence for Pupils
All schools by law must follow the Department for Education’s statutory guidance relating to school attendance. They must use the appropriate national attendance or absence code, and follow the criteria set out within the guidance. The statutory guidance states:
- A leave of absence must not be granted unless there are exceptional circumstances and must be requested in advance
- A leave of absence must be requested in advance by a parent who the pupil normally lives with
- Schools must judge each application individually, considering the specific facts and circumstances and relevant background context behind each request
- Where a leave of absence is granted, the school will determine the number of days a pupil can be absent from school
- A need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance
- A school cannot grant a leave of absence retrospectively. If the parent did not apply in advance, the leave of absence should not be granted
- Where this guidance refers to a parent, the school and/or local authority will need to decide which adult(s) is most appropriate.
Please note all schools are expected to regularly inform parents about their child’s attendance and absence.
