Guidance published on school attendance in Wales and religious festivals

Welsh Government attendance guidance on religious educaton

This document provides overarching guidelines, which head teachers may use in determining whether to grant an authorised absence for learners who practice a faith under the Religion Values & Ethics (RVE) shown in the new curriculum. Parents and carers are responsible for making sure that their children of compulsory school age receive a suitable full-time education. Only head teachers, and not parents or carers, can authorise an absence.

Schools must consider whether the reason for absence is reasonable before doing so. In Wales, the pattern of the school year takes account of most of the western Christian festivals and holy days. Important days of religious observance in the calendars of other religious traditions and denominations, however, often fall in term time and specifically on school days.