Petition · Department for Education

Allow up to 10 days authorised school leave per year without fines

Open for signatures 2,848 signatures

What the petition asks

Introduce national school attendance rules to allow parents to take children out of school for up to 10 days per year for family leave where attendance is otherwise good, including flexibility for families with children with SEND, without fines or prosecution.
Many families cannot afford holidays during official school holidays due to significantly increased prices. Some children, particularly those with SEND, can struggle with busy peak travel periods due to crowds and sensory challenges. We do not think that parents should face fines or court action when a child’s attendance is otherwise excellent and their education is not affected. A fairer system could support both education and family wellbeing.

Timeline

10 Apr 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 2,848
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Education
Opened 10 Apr 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.