Study leave for pupils: requirements and guidance

Last reviewed on 21 October 2021
School types: All · School phases: Secondary
Ref: 8721

Find out if you can grant study leave and what you need to consider when granting it. Plus, learn which absence codes to use, and whether study leave counts towards attendance figures.

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Contents

  1. You can grant study leave
  2. Decide if study leave would benefit your pupils
  3. Provide for pupils who want to revise in school
  4. Recording study leave: absence codes and statistics 
  5. Examples of school procedures

You can grant study leave

However, it should: 

  • Not be granted by default once the exam syllabus has been taught
  • Be used sparingly
  • Only be granted to pupils in year 11 (see below for details on years 12 and 13)
  • Only be granted during public examinations 

Check your exam board's timetables to learn when you can start granting study leave.

This is set out on pages 13 and 19 of the DfE's non-statutory attendance guidance. 

A representative from the DfE clarified that you can only grant study leave once exams have started. 

Years 12 and 13

Pupils in years 12 and 13 can also be granted study leave. You can decide when study leave begins for these pupils.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) told us this.

Decide if study leave would benefit your pupils

It's up to you to decide whether to grant study leave - it's not an entitlement. 

Pupil's

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