Pupils around the country will be absent from school today (February 15), to attend the strike lead by the action group Youth Strike 4 Climate to protest lack of government action to combat the climate crisis.
In these exceptional circumstances, it is unclear whether authorities should allow school children to absent themselves from school in order to take part in the strikes.
The Department for Education emphasise that "pupils can only take term-time leave in exceptional circumstances, and where this leave has been authorised by the headteacher."
However, the decision is a matter for individual schools.
As a result, headteachers have been met with the dilemma of what action - if any - should be taken against pupils that attend the strikes.
Education Secretary Damina Hinds said: "I want young people to be engaged in key issues affecting them and involving themselves in causes they care about.
"But let me be clear – missing class won’t do a thing to help the environment; all they will do is create extra work for teachers.
A B&NES Council spokeswoman added: “Schools have responsibility for attendance and safeguarding of children on their roll. It is down to headteachers to decide how they authorise absences.”
Ahead of todays strike, Youth Strike 4 Climate provided advice on their website: "You’ll need permission from your parent/guardian to miss school which is usually only done in situations of illness.
"Absence can also be granted in ‘exceptional circumstances’ and many believe that imminent climate break down is ‘exceptional’.
"Neither UK Student Climate Network nor Youth Strike 4 Climate is encouraging you to break the law and you can legally strike with permission for absence from your school"
You can find guidance on the parental responsibility regarding attendance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/parental-responsibility-measures-for-behaviour-and-attendance
Want more news?
To subscribe to our daily newsletter, enter your email address into the box at the top of this story.
To keep up to date with our latest news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Find our Bath Facebook page here or Somerset's can be found here
Alternatively, follow us on Twitter - @BathLive and @SomersetLive
