Can Kids Skip School During A Heatwave? A Lawyer Has The Answer

Thinking of keeping them home today? Read this first.

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

This week has been toasty (yet again) across the UK – with the evenings not offering much respite either.

It’s meant children’s bedtimes and sleep have been hugely disrupted which is, in turn, impacting their mood. You might be seeing more meltdowns on the playground during drop-offs, with young kids seeming more lethargic, tearful and clingy than usual.

Add that to the fact plenty of older school buildings do not having air conditioning installed, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for hot, bothered and exhausted children.

Some parents might be tempted to let them stay at home for the odd day, where it’s cooler and they can rest, but Samantha Hale, an education solicitor at HCB Widdows Mason, warns they could face fines for doing so.

“Parents cannot take their child out of school unless it closes and, if they do, it will count towards their unauthorised absences, risking fines,” she explained.

When should........

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