Is it legal for parents to take their children on holiday before the end of term? Raisingkids.co.uk's Education expert, Elizabeth Cook, explains the official rules about legitimate reasons for absence from school and why a Christmas treat could result in trouble in the New Year.

Raisingkids member's problem
We want to book a family holiday abroad over Christmas and New Year but unless we leave the UK two days before the end of the school term, we can't afford to go. The airfares seem to jump by hundreds of pounds as soon as the holidays start! Our children are in Year 03 and Year 06 - surely a couple of days won't make any difference? And can we insist on our right to take them out of school early? It seems unfair to deny them a holiday abroad just for the sake of a couple of days, right at the end of term. Their attendance record is usually excellent.

Elizabeth's advice
I'm afraid that you have no rights to take your children out of school early - in fact quite the opposite. You have a legal responsibility to ensure that your child attends school during the designated term dates, and only illness or severe family difficulties are accepted as legitimate reasons for absences.

Have you tried explaining the situation to the headteacher of your school? Most would be sympathetic I think, but you know your child's headteacher better than I do. Hope this is helpful.

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