Pupils should not be given approval to take time off school for protests, new statutory attendance guidance that comes into force from August sets out. The clarity comes after education secretary Gillian Keegan intervened over pupils going on pro-Palestine rallies, declaring 鈥渕issing school for activism is unacceptable鈥�. Previously, were down to headteachers, who could technically choose to allow absence under the 鈥渆xceptional circumstances鈥� exemption. But new statutory 鈥榃orking together to improve school attendance鈥� guidance, and which will take hold in August, states: 鈥淟eave of absence should not be granted for a pupil to take part in protest activity during school hours.鈥� The current attendance guidance does not contain anything relating to the word 鈥榩rotest鈥�. Keegan said she was 鈥渄eeply concerned鈥� in November after reports youngsters had missed class to join marches supporting Palestine, amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. Left-wing group Stop the War Coalition had published guidance online about 鈥渉ow to organise a school strike鈥�, alongside a template absence letter to send to headteachers. But that Pupils also joined a mass protest in 2019 over climate change. The such protests, as part of its draft sustainability strategy. However this appears to have been cut from the final strategy, . The new attendance guidance is also more explicit on which scenarios schools should grant leave of absences. This includes taking part in a 鈥渞egulated performance or employment abroad鈥�, attending an interview or for study leave. There is still a category for 鈥渆xceptional circumstances鈥�, with applications to be considered individually. However the next paragraph makes clear that this should not include protests.