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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

43 replies

SilverTapz · 09/05/2025 07:21

Wondering what the law says about this. My local council website isn't that clear. My son has qualified nationally for the sport he takes part in. The sport takes place over 6 months, once a month fri-sun. Would I potentially be able to take him out of school on the Friday? Does anyone else do similar?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 09/05/2025 07:23

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

Weepingwillows12 · 09/05/2025 07:26

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.

Original poster
SilverTapz · 09/05/2025 07:30

Weepingwillows12 · 09/05/2025 07:26

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.

He is 6. Very promising in his sport. He struggles in school. ASD and ADHD and his sport is his safe place. He works hard on school and has 100% attendance. I'll have a chat with the school to see what they say.

OP posts:
icelollycraving · 09/05/2025 07:32

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

TeenToTwenties · 09/05/2025 07:35

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

blackgreenandgrey · 09/05/2025 07:37

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.

real13 · 09/05/2025 07:38

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.

Oldfashioneddinosaur · 09/05/2025 07:40

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

Lordofmyflies · 09/05/2025 07:42

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!

minnienono · 09/05/2025 07:45

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

socksandshoos · 09/05/2025 07:46

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

Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 09/05/2025 07:47

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.

Springtime97 · 09/05/2025 07:47

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

Fearfulsaints · 09/05/2025 07:48

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

arethereanyleftatall · 09/05/2025 07:49

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.

Mumofteenandtween · 09/05/2025 07:51

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.

itsgettingweird · 09/05/2025 07:52

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.

itsgettingweird · 09/05/2025 07:55

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!

mamajong · 09/05/2025 07:57

Our school allows it for national events and 1 off competitions but you need to evidence it with some sort of proof

BlondiePortz · 09/05/2025 07:59

SilverTapz · 09/05/2025 07:30

He is 6. Very promising in his sport. He struggles in school. ASD and ADHD and his sport is his safe place. He works hard on school and has 100% attendance. I'll have a chat with the school to see what they say.

Show quote history

Every child is promising at sport, it is still up to the specific school

geekygardener · 09/05/2025 08:02

My child has been to national sporting competitions a few times over the last year or two and. Only usually taking the Friday and Monday off. Her school won’t authorise it even with proof.
Her teammates schools just down the road put it as authorised education off sight. Very frustrating but I don’t care I take her anyway. What annoys me more is that my child’s school will authorise football events and every year the sports award goes to a child that plays football. It’s like any other sport is irrelevant.

1SillySossij · 09/05/2025 08:04

At 6 it is unlikely there are national competitions. I doubt a reputable NGG would advocate putting a 6 year old under that kind of pressure.

JifNtGif · 09/05/2025 08:05

Does DS have the makings of a varsity athlete then ? Personally I wouldn't judge as it’s undermining and it’s something I’m teaching my kids not to do!

RareGoalsVerge · 09/05/2025 08:08

This is technically allowed - the registration codes system includes code P for an approved sporting activity off site which is classed the same as being on an educational school trip and doesn't get categorised as an unauthorised absence so wouldn't get you into trouble for poor attendance.

The school will have discretion on whether or not to grant this, and a good school would be sensible to make this approval conditional on your son putting in extra time on mon-thur to ensure he doesn't fall behind from missing the occasion friday.

Thatcannotberight · 09/05/2025 08:16

Schools have no problems with taking their own sports teams out of school for the day to attend regional or national competitions. Any objections would be very hypocritical.