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Home: Children and families: Parents and carers: Schools: Term time holidays:

Term time holidays: Advice for parents

Directorate for Children & Young People - October 2011
nick.bartholomew@kirklees.gov.uk

General advice
  • Carefully consider the implications of taking your child out of school during term-time.
  • Discuss any holiday plans with the school well in advance of the holiday, to minimise any disruption to your child's learning.
  • Put all requests in writing, and arrange to meet with the head teacher where necessary.
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Can I take my child on holiday during term time?
As a parent or carer, you can demonstrate your commitment to your child's education by, whenever possible, taking your holidays during school holidays. If this is not possible, please avoid taking your child on holiday at times when he or she should be taking exams or tests.
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Why shouldn't I take my child away during term time?
  • It is important that children attend school regularly if they are to benefit from the learning opportunities provided.
  • Children who are absent from school due to a holiday in term time will miss out on important learning.
  • The time teachers have to help all the children in a class is reduced if they spend time helping a child to catch up after a holiday.
  • Educational experiences in school missed as a result of a family holiday cannot be recaptured later.
  • If your child does not attend school regularly, he or she will not be able to keep up with the work. This will have a serious impact on opportunities later in life.
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Will the school let me take my child away during term time?
  • You should not expect your child's school to agree to a family holiday during term time. The school will carefully consider your request, and they may take your child's current educational needs and attendance record into account.
  • Only in exceptional circumstances will a headteacher agree to your child missing more than a total of ten school days for a family holiday.
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What happens if the school does not agree?
  • If the school does not agree, your child's absence will be marked as "unauthorised" in the school register.
  • This record of attendance forms part of his or her Record of Achievement.
  • The absences may even be mentioned in references provided by the school to employers or colleges.
  • It may also cause the school to refer your child to the council's Education Social Work Service.
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Who can I speak to about this?
Please contact your child's headteacher if you wish to discuss this issue.
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