You are here:
Pupil leave of absence during term time
Term-time absences can only be granted in 'exceptional circumstances'. This article includes a Parent Pamphlet setting out the rules on term-time leave. It looks at examples of exceptional circumstances from schools and links to DfE advice.
Contents
- Term-time absences can only be granted in ‘exceptional circumstances’
- The headteacher decides what constitutes ‘exceptional circumstances’
- Examples of ‘exceptional circumstances’ from schools
- A leave of absence must be authorised in advance
- Deciding on a reasonable period of absence
- Parents can be fined for taking their children on holiday during term time
- Providing work for pupils to complete when off school in term time
- Removing pupils from the school roll due to absence
More from The Key

Pupil mental health: deepening understanding
Are you looking to deepen your staff's understanding of mental health, including anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation? Safeguarding Training Centre has the resources you need.
Evidence-led training courses that make it easy to upskill staff, anytime, anywhere.
CPD Toolkit is the most effective way to virtually deliver evidence-led training and support the professional development of your staff. Downloadable courses and online 5-minute summaries provide flexibility for training, whether staff are participating as skeleton staff in-school, via video call or individually at their own pace.
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 8 - 15 January 2021 15 Jan 2021 08:00
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 1 - 8 January 2021 8 Jan 2021 08:00
- Need-to-know: DfE publishes partial closure guidance 7 Jan 2021 16:36
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 11 - 18 December 2020 18 Dec 2020 08:00
- Need-to-know: Have your say on changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 11 Dec 2020 08:47
The Key has taken great care in publishing this article. However, some of the article's content and information may come from or link to third party sources whose quality, relevance, accuracy, completeness, currency and reliability we do not guarantee. Accordingly, we will not be held liable for any use of or reliance placed on this article's content or the links or downloads it provides. This article may contain information sourced from public sector bodies and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.