Callum said they had originally asked the school to authorise the children’s absence so they could join their grandparents for a holiday, since John had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2025.
The 30-year-old said he recognised this was out of the school holiday period but they wanted to make precious memories with their family and this was the only time they could afford to go there.
Callum said he approached the school to inform them of his father’s death and to ask if they would grant permission for three days of authorised absence in the circumstances, covering the time taken to fly out and back and one day to visit his grave.
He said the head teacher expressed their condolences but he was informed they could only grant permission in “exceptional circumstances” and this had not been deemed to meet their requirements for this.
“This is our chance to go over and see where he is and to spend some time there,” said Callum.
A school spokesperson said: “We would like to express our condolences to the family following their bereavement.
“We do not comment publicly on individual pupils, families or specific attendance matters and therefore cannot discuss the circumstances of any individual case.”
They said all requests for leave of absence during term time were considered carefully and consistently in accordance with relevant legislation, Department for Education guidance and the school’s attendance policy.
“Decisions are made on the basis of the information available at the time of the request and the applicable criteria for authorising absence,” they said.
The school had a responsibility to promote and support high levels of attendance, recognising the significant impact regular attendance has on pupils’ education and wellbeing, they added, with requests for leave of absence “considered on a case-by-case basis”.
