DfE guidance on holidays during term time is available here and states the following as at December 2020:

 

Holidays in term time

​

You have to get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.

​

You can only do this if:

​

• you make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)

• there are exceptional circumstances

 

It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.

​

You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.

​

Legal action to enforce school attendance

 

Local councils and schools can use various legal powers if your child is missing school without a good reason. They can give you:

​

• a Parenting Order

• an Education Supervision Order

• a School Attendance Order

• a fine (sometimes known as a ‘penalty notice’)​

 

You can be given one or more of these but the council does not have to do this before prosecuting you.