In September 2013, the government changed the regulations on term-time leave of absence for school pupils. Headteachers could previously grant up to 10 days’ leave in “special circumstances”, but now they may only grant leave in “exceptional circumstances”.
Schools and local authorities can issue penalty notices to parents who break the rules, with fines of £60 per-pupil, per-parent. If parents refuse to pay, the school or local authority can take the case to court, which may result in a fine of up to £2,500 or a three-month jail term. The government says that all children should be in full-time education, and absence harms a child’s attainment.
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