Support staff: offering term-time holidays

Allowing year-round support staff to take annual leave during term time could help you create a more attractive job offering. Understand what you need to consider and do if you want to provide this option.

Last reviewed on 4 March 2026
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 39333
Contents
  1. Consider the benefits
  2. Identify which staff this could work for
  3. Check if any rules would need changing
  4. Put a policy in place

Consider the benefits

Allowing term-time holidays can make job offers more attractive, and help you recruit and retain staff (particularly if other local schools/trusts don't offer this).

It can also give staff the chance to go on holidays at times when the costs are lower, and help to develop a sense of staff belonging within your school/trust. 

If you do decide to offer this option, make sure the arrangements balance the needs of your school/trust with your support staff's wellbeing.

Identify which staff this could work for

To what degree would their absence during term time adversely affect pupils' learning? Would other school/trust operations still function effectively during term time with the person on leave? How many days' leave during term time in total (e.g. 10 in a calendar year) or in one block (e.g. up to 5 days) would be possible? Who