School attendance and absence

Punctuality, improving outcomes, parental responsibility measures, school leaving age and school closures.

Services

  • Find your child's school term, half term and holiday dates on your local council's website

  • You can be prosecuted if your child has unauthorised absence from school - truancy, help with getting your child to school, and legal action to enforce school attendance

  • The age you can leave school in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

  • School closures happen because of an emergency like severe weather - check whether your child's school is closed on your local council website.

  • How your council encourages attendance at school - truancy, unauthorised absences, education welfare officer

Guidance and regulation

News and communications

Research and statistics

Policy papers and consultations

Transparency and freedom of information releases