Can I Take My Child Out of School for a Holiday?

Planning a family holiday during term time? You're not alone. Many parents wonder whether they can take their children out of school for a break, especially when holiday prices soar during school holidays. 

But, before you book that cheaper flight, it's important to understand the rules, the potential consequences, and what options you have. 

Let's break down everything you need to know about term-time holidays in the UK. This article answers the question: “Can I take my child out of school for a holiday?”

Key Takeaways

• Term-time holidays are not a legal right in England and Wales – schools can refuse permission

• Taking your child out of school for five or more days without permission can result in fines of £80 per parent, per child (rising to £160 if not paid within 21 days)

• "Exceptional circumstances" rarely include family holidays, even for cost reasons

• Always request permission in writing before booking – schools cannot authorise absences retrospectively

• Missing school can impact your child's learning, especially during key assessment periods

What the Law Says in the UK

Here's the legal bit made simple. Under the Education Act 1996 (opens in a new tab), all children of compulsory school age (typically 5 to 16) must attend school regularly. The key word here is "regularly" – and the Supreme Court has ruled this means attending in accordance with school rules.

In England and Wales, term-time holidays are not considered a legal right (opens in a new tab). Your child's headteacher has the final say on whether to authorise any absence during term time under “exceptional circumstances”. Schools must report absences, and unauthorised ones can result in fines or even legal action.

Spoiler alert: wanting to save money on holiday costs doesn't usually qualify as the “exceptional circumstances” for permission to be granted.

What Counts as an 'Exceptional Circumstance'?

So what does count as exceptional? Unfortunately, there's no official list, and each school interprets this differently. However, typical examples that schools may consider include:

• Bereavement or serious family emergencies – attending a funeral or dealing with a family crisis

• Religious observances – significant religious events not covered by school holidays

• Armed forces families – when a parent returns from deployment and family time is limited

• Unique opportunities – once-in-a-lifetime experiences that genuinely cannot be rescheduled

What definitely doesn't count? The Department for Education makes it clear that a desire for a holiday or leisure trip is not considered an exceptional circumstance, even if:

• Holidays are cheaper during term time

• You can only get time off work during term

• You've already paid for the holiday

• Your child has good attendance otherwise

Each school will have its own approach, so it's worth checking your school's attendance policy. Some schools are stricter than others, but very few will authorise holidays simply to save money.

Will I Be Fined for Taking My Child on Holiday During Term Time?

Here's where it gets serious. If you take your child out of school without permission, or if your request is denied and you go anyway, you risk receiving a penalty notice (fine) from your local authority.

From August 2024, the fine system changed. If a child has 10 sessions (five school days) of unauthorised absence within a 10-week period, parents may be fined. Here's how the fines work:

First offence:

• £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days

• £160 per parent, per child if paid between 22-28 days

Second offence (within three years):

• £160 per parent, per child (no reduced rate)

Third offence (within 3 years):

• No penalty notice will be issued – instead, the local authority might consider prosecution

Let's be clear about what "per parent, per child" means. If you have three children and you're a two-parent household, that's potentially £240 for the first offence if you pay promptly (£80 x 3 children x 2 parents). If both parents are fined and you don't pay within 21 days, that doubles to £480.

These figures were current as of August 2024, but always check with your local authority for the latest amounts, as they can change.

If you don't pay the fine within 28 days, you can be prosecuted under the Education Act 1996, potentially facing fines of up to £2,500, a criminal record, and, in extreme cases, jail time.

How to Request Leave from School

If you genuinely believe you have exceptional circumstances, here's how to approach requesting leave:

Do this:

• Write to the headteacher in advance – most schools require at least a few weeks' notice, and some want it in writing. Never book the holiday before getting a response.

• Be honest and clear – explain exactly why you're requesting the absence and why it counts as exceptional.

• Include specific dates – state when you're planning to leave and when your child will return.

• Show you've thought about learning – mention how you'll help your child catch up on any missed work.

• Be prepared for a "no" – if the school refuses, respect that decision. Taking your child anyway means the absence will be unauthorised and you'll likely be fined.

Don't do this:

• Book the holiday first and ask permission later

• Expect the school to authorise leave retrospectively (they can't)

• Assume one child's absence will be overlooked

• Think good attendance in the past guarantees permission now

Here's a simple structure for your letter:

• Opening: State that you're requesting authorised absence and give the dates.

• Reason: Explain why this is an exceptional circumstance (be specific and honest).

• Impact: Show you understand what your child will miss and how you'll help them catch up.

• Closing: Thank the headteacher for considering your request and ask for a written response.

Remember, even a well-written letter doesn't guarantee approval. Schools take attendance very seriously, and they're working within tight guidelines set by the government.

What Happens If My Request Is Denied?

So the school said no. Now what?

If your request for leave is denied, you have two choices:

1. Cancel or reschedule your plans – this avoids any fine or mark on your child's attendance record

2. Go anyway – but understand the potentially serious consequences

If you choose to go ahead with the holiday despite the refusal:

• The absence will be recorded as unauthorised on your child's attendance record

• If your child misses five or more days (10 sessions) in a 10-week period, the school must refer the matter to the local authority, which may issue a penalty notice

• Your child's overall attendance percentage will drop, which can look poor on school records

• During key exam years (especially GCSEs and A-Levels), poor attendance can be noted on references

Some parents decide that paying the fine is worth it compared to peak-season holiday prices. That's a personal choice, but go into it with your eyes open about the financial and educational costs.

Academic Impact: What Parents Should Consider

Beyond the fines, there's the educational side to think about. Missing school isn't just about missing lessons – it's about everything your child won't experience while they're away.

Consider these impacts:

For younger children (primary school):

• Missing foundation skills in reading, writing, and maths can create gaps

• Social activities and friendships can be disrupted

• Routine and structure are important for young learners

For older children (secondary school):

• Missing coursework deadlines or controlled assessments can be serious

• Key concepts might be taught that are hard to catch up on independently

• Mock exams and preparation time are crucial in Years 10-11 and Year 13

For children in exam years:

• Even one week can mean missing important revision classes

• Research shows that attendance below 95% (opens in a new tab) (roughly 15 days missed per year) can impact a child's attainment

• Teachers may be less sympathetic about missed work during critical periods

Help your child think things through with our university and careers guidance articles on our Learning Hub.

How many days is too many?

While five days triggers the fine threshold, even smaller absences add up. If your child is ill for a week, has a medical appointment, and then misses a week for holiday, you're looking at 15+ days absent in one year. That's well below that 95% attendance threshold where academic impact becomes a real concern.

Before booking anything, have an honest conversation with your child's teacher. Ask:

• What topics or lessons will be covered during those dates?

• Are there any assessments, trips, or important events happening?

• What work will need to be caught up, and how can you help?

Some parents arrange for work to be completed during the holiday, though schools aren't required to provide this, and teachers aren't obliged to mark it.

Save My Exams offers tailored, course-specific resources to help your child catch up should they fall behind from missing school. 

Are the Rules Different in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?

The short answer: yes, somewhat. Here's what you need to know (opens in a new tab) if you live outside England.

Scotland:

Parents in Scotland don't face the same fixed penalty fines as in England. Instead, local education authorities can issue Attendance Orders requiring parents to explain absences, and can prosecute parents who don't comply, with potential fines up to £1,000 or even jail time. In practice, prosecution is rare unless attendance is persistently poor.

Wales:

Wales has a similar system to England. Headteachers have discretionary power to authorise leave for family holidays in special circumstances, but parents should not normally expect term-time holidays to be authorised. Each Welsh local authority has its own code of conduct for issuing fines, so check with your council for specific details.

Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland doesn't have the £80 fixed penalty system. Instead, if a child's attendance drops below 85%, they can be referred to the Education Welfare Service (EWS) (opens in a new tab). The EWS works with families, and prosecution is a last resort, with courts potentially issuing fines up to £1,000 per child.

The approach in Northern Ireland tends to be more about support and working with families than immediate fines, but persistent poor attendance is still taken seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be taken to court for taking my child on holiday?

Yes, potentially. If you don't pay your penalty notice fine within 28 days, or if you've received multiple fines and the local authority believes prosecution would be more effective, you can be taken to magistrates' court. If found guilty, fines can be up to £2,500 per parent, per child, and in extreme cases, the court can impose imprisonment for up to three months.

Are fines always enforced?

Not always, but increasingly so. Department for Education figures (opens in a new tab) show that local authorities issued 443,322 fines for unauthorised absences in the 2023/24 school year, up 22% from the previous year, with almost 90% of these related to term-time holidays. Since August 2024, the government has introduced a national framework requiring all local authorities to follow consistent rules. This means enforcement is becoming more standardised across England. 

What if the holiday is for a family wedding abroad?

This might be considered more sympathetically than a beach holiday, but it's not guaranteed. Family weddings can potentially fall under "exceptional circumstances," especially if it's a close family member and travel abroad is required. However, each school decides individually. Make your case clearly in writing, explaining why attendance at this wedding is essential and why it cannot be scheduled during school holidays. 

Final Thoughts

Taking your child out of school during term time is a decision that comes with real consequences, both financial and educational. While the law is clear that term-time holidays aren't a right, many parents still face the dilemma of sky-high holiday prices versus missing a few days of school.

Whatever you decide, here's the best approach:

• Communicate openly with your school. Build a good relationship with teachers and the headteacher. If you have genuine exceptional circumstances, present your case clearly and early.

• Understand the rules in your area. Check your school's attendance policy and your local authority's approach to fines. Know what you're risking before you book.

• Consider the timing carefully. Avoid key assessment periods, exam years, and the start or end of terms when children are settling in or wrapping up important work.

• Make informed choices. If you decide to go ahead with a term-time holiday despite the risks, be prepared for the fine and have a plan for helping your child catch up.

• Think about your child. Some children cope better with missing school than others. A confident learner might bounce back quickly, while a child who's already struggling might fall further behind.

Above all, remember that schools aren't trying to ruin your holiday plans – they're following the law and trying to ensure every child gets the best possible education. Most teachers understand the financial pressures families face, but they also see first-hand how absence affects learning.

Whatever path you choose, make it an informed one.

Save My Exams can help in any eventuality. We have course-specific revision notes written by experts, exam questions with answers written by examiners, flashcards, and even a Smart Mark tool to give you feedback on your answers. 

References 

• Education Act 1996 (opens in a new tab)

• Holidays during school term-time in England (opens in a new tab)

• Why school attendance matters, and what we’re doing to improve it – The Education Hub (opens in a new tab)

• Can you take kids on term-time holidays without being fined? - MSE (opens in a new tab)

• WPA Education Welfare Services (opens in a new tab)

• Holiday fines at record high in England - BBC News (opens in a new tab)