Leave in term time is not a ‘right’. Absence from school can have a serious impact on your child’s education. All requests for leave in term time must be made in advance of confirming any arrangements and may be granted at the Headteacher's discretion dependant on the circumstances. Changes to the Regulations mean that schools can only authorise leave in term time if the circumstances surrounding the request are considered to be exceptional.

Under new regulations, the local authority will review all leave that exceeds 15 days. They may choose not to issue a penalty notice and instead prosecute the parents. Where unauthorised leave is taken for less than 15 school days, a penalty notice will be issued to offer a chance to avoid prosecution.

If pupils accumulate a number of unauthorised absence's, school may have to consider referral to external agencies, such as the Local Authority Pupil Attendance Support Team. The use of Penalty Notices may also be considered under certain circumstances, including where leave is taken without agreement.