Taking children out of school in term time

Generally, the DfE does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or leisure trips to be an exceptional circumstance. It is a criminal offence for a parent/carer to 'fail to secure their child's regular attendance at school'.

When leave can be authorised

Head teachers can only give permission to take a child out of school when there are exceptional circumstances.  What the school counts as exceptional circumstances are agreed by the Head teacher and Governors, this may be included in the schools' Attendance Policy.

How to apply for leave

If you want to take your child out of school, the parent or carer they live with must apply in writing before the absence.
Make sure you include enough detail to explain the exceptional circumstances.

The headteacher will review your request and write to you with their decision.

If you do not receive a response, it is your responsibility to check whether the leave has been authorised before it starts.

If leave is not approved

If the Head teacher does not approve the application, your child is expected to be in school. 

If you still take your child out of school, the school will record the absence as unauthorised and this could lead to you receiving a penalty notice. 

Where a leave of absence was requested, any extra days taken before or after the requested period may also be treated as part of the unauthorised leave.

If no application is made

If you do not apply for leave of absence and the school believes your child has been on holiday during term time, the absence may be recorded as unauthorised.

You could then receive a penalty notice.

Penalty Notices

Penalty notices are issued in line with Cheshire East Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices and in the first instance, as an alternative to prosecution proceedings.

Further information can be found on the actions we can take when children miss school page.