Can I take my child on holiday?
The government states (school attendance and absence) that ‘you must make sure your child gets a full-time education that meets their needs.’

Derbyshire County Council leaflet, ‘School attendance – the law, information for parents,’ clearly states that ‘in accordance with Pupil Registration Regulations, headteachers must not grant approval for any leave of absence during term time, including holidays, unless there are exceptional circumstances.’

Parents needing special leave for exceptional circumstances will need to complete a ‘Leave of Absence Request Form’ which is available from the school office. Children that are taken out of school for a holiday without permission will have their absence marked as unauthorised and parents may be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

If parents take their children out of school without first seeking the school’s permission or take their children out after permission has been denied, they could receive a penalty notice fine of £60 per parent per child. A family of two parents and two children would receive a fine of £240. Parents have 21 days to pay the fine. If the fine is not paid within this period the fine doubles to £120 per parent per child and has to be paid within 7 days. Failure to pay the fine at all will result in Derbyshire Children’s Services taking the matter before the Magistrates Court where they could be fined up to £2,500.