At Kempston Rural Primary School, we believe that attending school every day helps every child thrive, grow and make the best possible progress. Even short periods of absence can affect learning, confidence and continuity.

Our approach follows Department for Education (DfE) requirements and reflects the priority set by our Governing Body, who ask us to promote strong attendance across the school.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

Under the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations, headteachers cannot authorise term‑time holidays unless there are exceptional circumstances. It is important to note that headteachers can determine the length of the authorised absence, as well as whether absence is authorised at all. The fundamental principles for defining exceptional are rare, significant, or unavoidable, which means the event could not reasonably be scheduled at another time. Circumstances where absences may be regarded as exceptional will vary from school to school and family to family.

Exceptional circumstances must be:

• Rare
• Significant
• Unavoidable
• Unable to happen at any other time

Holidays do not meet this threshold and therefore cannot be authorised in the majority of cases. There is no legal entitlement to take children out of school for holidays during term time.

How to Request Leave

If you believe your circumstances may be exceptional, please email the school office before making any travel arrangements. 

If leave is taken without authorisation and/or absences reach the thresholds in Bedford Borough's Penalty Notice (10 sessions within 12 school weeks), a Penalty Notice may be issued.

For full details, please see our Attendance Policy in the Policies section on the website.