Can you take your child out of school for sporting events?

I will add when ds competed last year at European’s one of his teams mates did a government school exam whilst there. Arrangements can be made but sadly this does fall on the willingness of the NGB and the school/LA to put in the effort to make them!

My DS is national/British level for his sport and although left school now some of his team mates are still school age.

There is code is the register for approved sporting events. Although some of the schools show disapproval the British and national comps happen when they happen and you can’t rearrange their sporting event for a more convenient time!

Same with national camps - with holidays being different throughout the country some will fall half term for some and not for others.

I’ve always allowed ds out for national comps and informed the school why. I believe part of a well rounded education involves leaning skills that aren’t just classroom based. It’s different for a cheap trip to CP!!!

Just tell the school that for 6 months DS will miss this Friday of that month for taking part in national sport.

Our kids get the time off for National level competitions. It doesn’t even count as an absence. I have to send evidence of them but that is all published by British YoYo-ing* so that is easy. It undoubtedly helps that my eldest is a National Champion so it is obvious that this is all quite serious.

They are a lot older than yours so easier to prove it is important. Although they also miss more important stuff at school so all swings and roundabouts.

*It isn’t actually yo-yoing.

I think ask for it on the basis how good it is for his mental health due to his NDs. Don’t go in saying a 6 yr old is ‘promising’ at a sport because that’s just embarrassing.

You can only ask. They have options for two attendance codes. 1 is code c authorised and the other is P which is at a approved sporting activity.

Authorised absences still count as an absence though.

I know a chikd who represented great Britain in an international event that got hassled over his attendance

My DD secondary allow it. She is out today with the school football team and was the same last week.

If it’s something official then it should be authorised.

my dds used to do ballet and when they had to be taken out of school for exams it always went down as being “educated off site” rather than an absence.

Yes, if you ask they’ll give it as authorised leave. Mine travels for gymnastics comps, never been an issue having the odd Friday or Monday off and our school is very strict on attendance otherwise

I can see why but at 6 I don’t think any kid is “promising” it’s just a hobby that parents are encouraging.

In my DC's school it goes down as 'unauthorised' absence. The headteacher said he cannot ok it, even though it was a national competition. As it was only 3 days there was no fine but it did seem unfair, especially when the school then used DC achievement as promo on their blog / newsletter!

Without question I would be doing this. Hope the school don't make it too difficult.

I would do it.
That’s such a massive opportunity, which he may never get again.

I would speak with school and tell them rather than ask. Obviously in a polite way. Hopefully they would be supportive.

There is no hard and fast rule. You need to speak to your school's headteacher. It really depends.

I took one of mine out once 2.5 weeks for a big international competition. I needed the ok from the head teacher though and got that. but it was a one off. With regular time off, it probably depends. Nobody here can tell you if your head will ok it.

I would start with the premise you will be taking him out, and how will it be registered. Would seem crazy to not let him have the opportunity. There are various absence codes they could use, specifically P participating in sports.

See also full list Attendance-Codes-Academic-Year-2024-25.pdf

I think at age 6, it should be ok. Secondary school age perhaps not.

I take my son out once a year for a sports tour and he has always been approved but others in his team at other schools have not so I think it's hit and miss.

If this is once a month though they may have more concerns as that will surely impact education. What age is he? I think you need to go speak to them.

You need to ask school. Some allow it, some dont