1 Dec 2008 - LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME
Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to their educational progress.
Parents should not normally take their children on holidays in term time and there is no legal right to do so. However, you do have the right to apply to the school for leave of absence for one annual holiday of up to 10 days in the academic year.
The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 state that schools can only agree to children missing education for a family holiday due to special circumstances. Authorisation is at the discretion of the Headteacher, acting on behalf of the Governing Body.
If the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken anyway, the case will be referred to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £100 (or £50 if paid within 28 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.