GCSE's next Summer term - can you book a holiday in July?

[Pancakeflipper]

One of my children do their GCSE's next year. Are we OK to book a holiday in July before schools break up?

They aren't expected to be in school are they?

Yes, they are finished by the end of June

Thank you !
Was hoping that was the case.

No - they leave after their last exam.

There is a 'gcse contingency day' where any exams that had to be cancelled are held. I imagine the chances of that happening are slim.

Also might want to avoid being away on prom day if DC interested in that.

We flew off on holiday straight after DCs last GCSE in June and had a fab (and much cheaper than usual!) holiday.

Google gcse exam dates 2025.

They are in some schools! They start doing some work for A levels. I would ask around but you might be ok but what about prom or other fun? Dc sometimes enjoy these post exam things with friends.

Check when the prom is. Looks like last exam around 20th June allow a week for prom / post exam jollies with mates by July should be fine. But double check prom or you could be in hot water.

Yes, the only thing is prom day if they want to go to that, and if they are going to a sixth form or college, they might want to go to the taster days which can be in the beginning of July.

I would be careful not to clash your holiday with prom.

It's a big deal to most teenagers.

Check when events like prom and Sixth Form induction day are but I think you’ll be fine.

My daughter and I went on holiday on the 3rd July after her GCSE's and prom. Her prom seemed to be earlier than other schools in our borough though so worth checking if the school has a date for that yet as they probably won't want to miss that!

This year's new attendance guidance says that any kid going to stay on at sixth form has to be in school throughout and only those who are not going to 6th form can be processed as leavers.

I don't think SLT have noticed yet.

Check the prom date and if there are any other end of term things your child would like to do before booking. We ended up overlapping, so one week before schools broke up, as there were things DS wanted to do, plus his prom was quite late compared to others.

Ummmm.. think it is this that's in my mind.

I might have a word with his support staff.

Thank you.

DS finished his GCSEs this year 21st June and we went on holiday 1st July for two weeks. He wasn't interested in attending prom (autism and SEN). He went to college in September. The A Level students were not expected in either where we are, but sounds like you need clarification on that from your school. I'd ask. You can see last exam dates online.

Thanks @FoxtonFoxton
My child has several disabilities and we discussed the prom a few months ago and they weren't at all interested! And none of my older children went to their proms (covid years).

I've saved a fortune on outfits...

Check with your school and also bear in mind things like DofE and CCF camp, if your DC does either of those things. I would confirm that DC can leave after their last exam and won't be required in school for anything else between then and the end of term. The last thing you want is to book and then discover that your DC will miss the prom or some other thing that they want to go to.

They leave the last Friday of June, but as others have said, there may be social activities after that. If they have a sixth form place, they stay on roll, but they are not expected in school. There may be some schools that offer lessons or insist on attendance, but most don't start a new timetable until September.

I cannot see the attendance law allows for an early finish to be authorised though. They are on roll so I think school has an issue with allowing mass unauthorised holidays.

And it’s clear when reading the law, holidays and recreation are unauthorised.

But Y11 finish end of June because GCSE courses have ended. Technically, they can be required to attend in June, but most schools have them on study leave through most of June and even those keeping them in say they can leave after their last exam. Most schools have a period of study leave until the end of June. July is marked with an X code - they are not marked as absent.

I believe the exam board contingency dates for 2025 are 11th and 25th June. Like others have said though - check for final assembly / prom / college induction days.

Otherwise, go for it, it’s amazing how much cheaper holidays are!

www.schoolguide.co.uk/blog/school-year-faqs-term-dates-exam-times-and-school-holidays#:~:text=When%20do%20Year%2011%20finish,end%20of%20the%20summer%20holidays.

Think they 'legally' finish 30th June.

www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

I've booked a holiday for July 1st. They might miss a 6th form induction day.

Thanks @chickenpieandchips
It's the 6th form Induction I'm worried about , they'll need help with transition and accessibility. Think I will ask his support team if they can find out any induction dates.