Referring back to MtheGM's post a few contributions above, when I was in my teens (the 1970s) my parents took me out of school for a week's holiday on a couple of occasions. It was near the end of the summer term, when exams were over, and as M says it was a right they chose to exercise which was discussed with my teachers in advance. I would also like to know at what point this 'ruling' disapopearing and why.