Who it's for
- Parents and carers of school-age children in England
- Families facing a funeral, deployment or other exceptional event in term time
- Parents who want absences recorded correctly
What's included
- About this pack — term-time holidays, illness and the national attendance framework
- Authorised v unauthorised quick reference
- Template 1 — Illness absence
- Template 2 — Term-time absence in exceptional circumstances
- Template 3 — Medical appointment
Key points covered
- Headteachers can only authorise term-time absence in exceptional circumstances
- A cheaper holiday is not an exceptional circumstance
- In England, penalty notices are £80 per parent per child, rising to £160 if paid late
- A second notice within 3 years is charged at £160; a third can lead to prosecution
- Schools may ask for evidence for long or repeated illness
DocPilot templates are drafted from current legislation and official guidance (GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and the relevant regulators), checked against those sources and fully re-reviewed every six months. They are not legal advice. How we make our documents →
Read the guide
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Questions
Will the school authorise a term-time holiday?
Only in exceptional circumstances, such as a funeral or a forces deployment. Template 2 helps you explain yours.
Do I need a doctor's note for illness?
Not usually, but schools may ask for evidence for long or repeated absences.
Do the fines apply in Scotland and Wales?
The penalty figures in the pack are England's national framework. Scotland and Wales have their own rules.
Is it in a bundle?
No. It is sold separately.
School Absence Letter Pack
£8.99 · Word + PDF · instant download
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