Holidays in school term time

[user1465146157]

Hello
I've just read on the gov.uk site that:
'Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16.'

My ds will be 4 starting school in September, and not 5 until the summer. Does this mean that while aged 4 you could go on a holiday in term Time with no issue from the school?

I'm new to school things as a parent so any guidance on what the rules are would help! thanks

I think it won't go down as unauthorized absence on the numbers the school has to report to government if they're under 5. But whether the school are happy about it will depend on the school. They may have one policy across all year groups. That said, there's not much they can do to stop you unless you go for more than two weeks (they can take your school place away if you do that)

It’s not mandatory school age so no they can’t stop you.

If you did it multiple times and they were concerned about lack of attendance they could in theory do some sort of welfare check but tbh if they know you’re just on holiday. they would give you a warning as to what would happen once your child turned 5 and then leave it.

So yes next year of you want to get in a last cheaper 2 week holiday just go for it. Your son won’t miss anymore than the children have in the last couple of years. Just don’t expect the teachers to provide catch up work and supportx

The school won't record it as unauthorised absence, but, quite understandably, once you join a school, you are expected to follow school rules and guidelines.

Whatever you do, please don't take any holiday between the start of tern in September and October half term. This time is absolutely key in terms of settling in, making friendships and learning routines.