In line with statutory DfE guidance head teachers should only authorise a leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. If a head teacher grants a leave request, it will be for the head teacher to determine the length of time that the child can be away from school. Leave is unlikely, however, to be granted for the purposes of a family holiday.

Parents have a legal duty to make sure that their child aged 5-16, if registered at a school, attends that school regularly. If taking an unauthorised term time holiday, there are grounds for issuing a penalty notice according to the local authority's code, and if the leave of absence for holiday was not authorised by the school, either the school or the local authority may issue a penalty notice.