Holidays in School Term Time

[Janet Molloy]

I have requested by two children have ONE day off in the school term time, but have been refused by the Headteacher. I am aware of two families that have requested the full week off FIVE days and have had their holidays authorised. Could you tell me what the law is on this position, as I thought you could take 10 days in term time?

[ursula62]

By law you can take up to ten days off during term time in any given school year, but this is at the head's discretion and only with the school's permission.

Perhaps you could call the head's secretary and ask the reasons for the refusal? It may be that there is some kind of event, outing or inspection that day that your children's classes are participating in.

If they can give you no reason for the refusal, then it would be reasonable at that time to point out that you know of other parents who have been granted five days out during term time, and to ask if there is a reason why your children are being treated differently.

Please do try and keep calm over this, the head's job is not an easy one and I doubt he or she enjoys dealing with calls from parents on this matter.

[Lillabet]

Janet, the current law relating to this point comes under the 1996 Education Act and an SI from the previous year. The legal position is as follows:

Under current regulations Statutory Instrument 1995 No.2089 �The Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995� schools have discretion to grant leave of absence for purposes of family holidays in term time. They can approve up to a maximum of ten days in any one school year and, beyond that, can agree more than ten days if the circumstances are truly exceptional.

Parents are not entitled to remove children from school for holidays as of right. Leave of absence must be applied for and the decision to authorise absence for holidays rests entirely with the school.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear...