Taking children out of school during term time
I will be taking my children out of school next month for our family holiday. 2 of my children have additional needs, one is diagnosed combined adhd and one awaiting assessment for adhd/asd. Neither of them cope well in overcrowded situations with one having social anxiety and the other being liable to wonder off etc. this is the main reason for going out of term time so it will not be as busy. Is there anything I can do in order to not receive an fine from my local authorities for doing this.
A: SenseCheck
- 1 Yes
- 1 No
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- 04 Feb 2026
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No
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Simple
Not a lawyer, but I’ve seen this come up a lot. The best thing you can do is be upfront with the school ASAP and put everything in writing. Explain the additional needs, why term-time is safer/less overwhelming, and ask if the headteacher can authorize it as “exceptional circumstances.” If you’ve got any supporting letters , include them. Some councils still fine even if you’ve got a good reason, so there’s no guarantee. But clear documentation + early communication gives you the best chance and shows you’re acting in your kids’ best interests.
- 16 Sep 2023
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Yes
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Simple
You probably already know this, but you can avoid a fine by seeking permission from the headteacher to allow your children to be absent from school and your request being granted.
If your children are disabled and are disadvantaged by the current school holiday schedule because of their disability (ies), you possibly could add that your request is a reasonable adjustment because it would avoid the disadvantage they face as a result of the existing school holiday arrangements. For more details, refer to the Disability No-nonsense guide here:
01.02 Is there a “test” to prove that my child has a disability?
However, be prepared for potential opposition from the Head. Having said that, I have occasionally seen this approach being successful. It is important that you clearly and comprehensively articulate the disadvantage your children would be subject to by taking a holiday during the school break and then link this back to their impairments. You may also need demonstrate that you have considered a range of possible adjustments and be able to articulate why the one you have put forward is preferred given all the alternatives. Further, you may also wish to consider putting forward suggestions as to how you children can make up for any lost learning do demonstrate that, on balance, the detrimental effect on their education has been minimised.
Finally—and I believe this could be significant—when presenting your case, you may wish to emphasise the educational advantages the trip will provide. It would also be helpful to consider how these benefits might be evidenced upon the child’s (or children’s) return to school.
I eagerly await others' contributions on this matter but I hope this is helpful.
16 Sep 2023
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