Reasons for not going to school

You may have a good reason for your child to stay at home, such as illness. But if you do not have a good reason, you may face a fine or prosecution.

Sickness absence

If your child is too ill to attend school, you're expected to telephone the school at the beginning of the day to tell them what's wrong.

If you don't contact the school, it will be recorded as an ‘unauthorised absence’.

Unacceptable reasons

Under normal circumstances, you should not expect the school to agree to your child going on holiday during term-time. 

You will need written approval from the headteacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.

Other reasons that are not acceptable for missing school include:

• birthdays
• shopping trips
• looking after brothers and sisters or family members
• waiting in for a delivery
• outings
• visits to relatives
• lack of school uniform

School can help you

If you're having difficulties making sure that your child goes to school, talk to school staff. 

The school should agree on a plan to improve your child's attendance. If you don't follow the plan and things don't improve, the school will first give you a warning. If things do not improve, they can take further action.

If your child does not attend school regularly without good reason or without the headteacher's permission, you'll be committing an offence and you can get a fine. 

If you're making your own arrangements for your child to be educated other than at school, you need to tell the school. You can read more about home educating your child.

Read more about school attendance and absence on GOV.UK.