School attendance and absence
Overview
You must make sure your child gets a full-time education that meets their needs (for example if they have special educational needs).
The guidance is different if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
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’re too ill to go in
- you have 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.
There may be other exceptional circumstances where you can ask to take your child out of school. Your school will consider each application and may let you take your child out of school.
Holidays in term time
A holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance. You cannot usually take your child away during term time.
You can be fined or face legal action for taking your child on holiday during term time.
School trips
Your child’s school can ask you for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of activities like school trips. They cannot stop your child from attending if you do not pay, but they should cancel the activity if there is not enough money to cover the cost of it.