When your child can miss school

Find out when your child is allowed to miss school and what you should do if your child needs to take time off school

You must get permission from the headteacher if your child needs time off school.

Your child is only allowed to miss school:

  • if they’re too ill to go in
  • for medical appointments
  • for special circumstances like a death in the family
  • for religious observance
  • because of poor weather conditions

You should let the school know as early as possible if your child needs to miss school.