From September 2018 Headteachers are no longer allowed to authorise absences during term time for family holidays.  Headteachers can only grant leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.  Parents of children who are absent from school for 5 days or more may be issued with a fixed penalty notice by the Local Authority which is £60 per adult per child.

The Local Authority has produced two leaflets with advice and guidance for parents:

Promoting Good Attendance

School Attendance and Penalty Notices – Information for Parents and Carers

The Department for Education have published a revised version of Working together to improve school attendance as statutory guidance applicable from 19th August 2024. The new guidance is available here:

Working together to improve school attendance: applies from 19 August 2024

Bolton Council have produced some information for parents about the new National Framework for Penalty Notices for absence which is available to view here.