It may seem a long way off, but now is the time lots of families start planning for next year's school holidays.

Whether you're thinking of going away, or just planning childcare outside term time, it's always handy to get the school dates in your diary.

Here's a look ahead to the Bradford school calendar for the next school year - September 2020 to July 2021. There are 200 school days, with each school having five INSET days and five occasional days to add into this schedule as they see fit.

RELATED: Bradford school holiday dates 2019/2020

Probable Eid dates have been identified as Thursday, May 13, 2021, and Tuesday, July 20, 2021, and these may be considered by schools when identifying their occasional days.

The Autumn Term for 2021/22 will start on Monday, September 6.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

If parents would like to take their children out of school during term time, they must seek permission from the school.

Parents who fail to seek permission or take their children out of school when permission has been denied could receive a penalty notice fine of £60 per parent per child. A family of two parents and two children would receive a fine of £240. If unpaid for 21 days, the fine will double.

Bradford Council's website says: 

Parents do not have a right to take their children out of school during term time for holidays or trips abroad.

Every school has a policy and procedure for applying for leave of absence during term time, which will be available from the school. Many schools within their policies will describe circumstances where leave of absence will not be granted. For example during national tests or exams.

Headteachers will only grant permission for leave of absence from school in exceptional circumstances. If permission is granted, the school will determine the number of days of absence they will authorise.

Before granting a request for leave of absence in term time, a headteacher will consider, the time of year of the request and the duration of the leave of absence, the child’s attendance record and the child’s ability to catch up and the schools policy on holidays in term time.

If a family go on holiday without permission, their child’s absence will be unauthorised and the family may be fined £60 per parent per child. 

If a child does not return to school on the agreed date after leave of absence they could lose their place in the school, which would mean the child would have to start a new school.