You must make sure your child gets a full-time education that meets their needs (for example if they have special educational needs). You can send your child to school or educate them yourself.  

Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16.

You’ll be contacted by either:

• the school - if your child is enrolled in school and does not turn up (even if they’re only absent for a day)
• the council’s education welfare officer - if they think your child is not getting a suitable education at home

You can be prosecuted if you do not give your child an education. You’ll normally get warnings and offers of help from the local council first.

You can get education and attendance information from your council.

When your child can miss school

You can only allow your child to miss school if either:

• they are too ill to go in
• you have got advance permission from the school

There’s extra support available if your child cannot go to school for long periods because of a health problem.

Holidays/Absence in term time

The DfE Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance becomes statutory on the 19th August 2024. This guidance outlines clear expectations for schools in respect to supporting those pupils where absence is a concern.

Please be aware that The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, which became law on 01 September 2013 state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Unauthorised leave of absence in term time (5 days/10 sessions or more within a three month period - this need not be consecutive) without the authorisation of the school will be referred to the Inclusion Officer (formerly known as EWO - Educational Welfare Officer) and may result in a Penalty Notice being issued. Details can be found in the school’s Attendance Policy.

Every child’s punctuality and attendance is monitored. Cause for concern letters will be issued where necessary and these letters will remain on the child’s file. The school also receives a visit from the Inclusion Officer every term and refers any significant causes for concern.

These tables give you an idea on what your child is missing out on when they are absent or persistently late: