Exceptional circumstances is a phrase that often depends on school policy and official guidance rather than one simple national answer.
Absence request guide
Exceptional circumstances for school absence
Exceptional circumstances usually means a situation that is unusual enough for a school to consider authorising absence, but decisions are not automatic.
Schools and local authorities may have their own policies and decision-making processes. This page cannot tell you whether a particular request will be approved.
Last reviewed: 12 July 2026 by Site editor and maintainer (Paul R).
Reviewed for general accuracy. Always check your school, local authority or official guidance for decisions.
Term-time holidays are often treated carefully and may not be authorised.
It helps to check both the likely attendance impact and the policy context before making assumptions.
Why the phrase can be confusing
Parents often search for exceptional circumstances because the phrase sounds clear, but in practice it usually depends on school policy, official guidance and the details of the individual case.
That means two situations that sound similar on paper may still be handled differently depending on the evidence available and the school or local authority process.
Why term-time absence is treated carefully
Term-time holidays and other leave of absence requests are often treated carefully. Schools may not authorise them, and families should avoid assuming that a request will be accepted just because the reason feels important to them personally.
It is usually more useful to check the policy wording and ask the school about the process than to rely on examples shared by other families online.
A neutral checklist before making a request
Before making assumptions, it can help to work through a few practical checks. That keeps the conversation grounded in policy, evidence and the child’s actual attendance position.
- Check the school attendance policy.
- Check local authority guidance.
- Check whether the absence would be authorised.
- Check the attendance percentage impact.
- Check whether supporting evidence may be needed.
Official guidance
Check the official guidance alongside this guide
This page is an independent explainer. For formal questions about attendance rules, school decisions or local processes, compare it with your school's attendance policy, local authority guidance and the official resources collected on this site.
Guide FAQs
Common questions about this attendance topic
These answers are general information only and are not a substitute for school records or official guidance.
Does exceptional circumstances mean the absence will be authorised?
No. It usually means the school may consider the request carefully, but authorisation is not automatic.
Are term-time holidays exceptional circumstances?
Not automatically. Term-time holidays are often treated carefully, and parents should check the school policy and current official guidance rather than assume the answer.
Who decides?
The school decides how a request is handled, within the relevant guidance and local processes.
Can this site write or approve an absence request?
No. This site cannot approve requests or act for a school. It can only explain the issue in general terms and help you estimate attendance impact.