Sometimes you have to miss school because of illness, a family event or an emergency. When that happens, your school usually expects a short written application for leave of absence.
Writing this application is also a common question in English exams in Bangladesh and India. The good news is that it follows a simple, fixed format. Once you learn it, you can write any leave application in a few minutes.
This guide gives you the correct format, the key rules and six sample applications you can adapt.
What Is an Application for Leave of Absence?
It is a formal letter to your head teacher or class teacher. You ask permission to be absent, or you explain why you were absent. There are two main types:
- Before leave: you ask for permission in advance, for example for a wedding or a planned trip.
- After leave: you explain an absence that has already happened, for example because of sudden illness.
The Correct Format
Most schools in Bangladesh use this layout:
- Date (top left)
- Receiver: To, The Headmaster / Headmistress / Principal
- School name and address
- Subject line: a short summary, such as “Prayer for leave of absence for three days”
- Salutation: Sir, / Madam,
- Body: two or three short paragraphs with the reason and the dates
- Closing: a polite request and a line like “Yours obediently”
- Your name, class, section and roll number
This layout is similar to a standard formal letter. The Purdue Online Writing Lab explains the parts of a formal letter in its guide to writing the basic business letter.
Key Rules for a Good Leave Application
- Be short. Most applications need only 80 to 150 words.
- Be clear about dates. Give the exact days, such as “from 10 to 12 March”.
- Give a true reason. Keep it simple and honest.
- Be polite. Use phrases like “I would be grateful” and “kindly grant”.
- Attach proof if needed. For long illness, many schools ask for a doctor’s note.
- Check spelling and punctuation. Mistakes look careless in a formal letter.
Sample 1: Leave Due to Illness (After Leave)
15 March 2026
To
The Headmaster
Ideal High School
DhakaSubject: Prayer for leave of absence due to illness
Sir,
With due respect, I beg to state that I am a student of Class 8, Section A, of your school. I could not attend classes from 11 to 14 March because I was suffering from a high fever. The doctor advised me to take complete rest.
I am now feeling better and have returned to school today. I will cover the lessons I missed.
I, therefore, pray and hope that you would be kind enough to grant me leave for those four days.
Yours obediently,
Ayesha Rahman
Class: 8, Section: A
Roll: 12
Sample 2: Leave to Attend a Wedding (Before Leave)
5 April 2026
To
The Headmistress
Green Valley Girls’ School
ChattogramSubject: Prayer for leave for three days to attend my sister’s wedding
Madam,
I beg most respectfully to state that I am a student of Class 9 of your school. My elder sister’s wedding will take place on 10 April at our village home in Feni. Our whole family will go there, and I must go with them.
For this reason, I will not be able to attend school from 9 to 11 April.
I, therefore, request you to kindly grant me leave for these three days.
Yours obediently,
Tania Akter
Class: 9, Roll: 7
Sample 3: Leave Due to an Urgent Family Matter
To
The Principal
City College
RajshahiSubject: Application for two days’ leave for urgent family work
Sir,
Respectfully, I am a student of HSC first year, Science group. Due to an urgent family matter, I have to go to my home district with my parents. I will not be able to attend college on 20 and 21 May.
I will collect my class notes from my classmates and complete all assignments on time.
I would be grateful if you kindly granted me leave for these two days.
Yours obediently,
Mahmud Hasan
HSC 1st Year, Roll: 45
Sample 4: Leave Application Written by a Parent
For younger children, a parent often writes the application.
To
The Class Teacher
Class 3, Section B
Sunrise School, KhulnaSubject: Leave of absence for my son
Dear Sir,
I am writing to inform you that my son, Rafi Ahmed, could not attend school on 2 and 3 June because he had a bad cold and cough. He is well now and will return to school today.
Please excuse his absence. I will help him catch up with the missed work.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Kamal Ahmed
(Father of Rafi Ahmed)
Phone: [your number]
Sample 5: Leave for a Medical Appointment
To
The Headmaster
Model High School, SylhetSubject: Prayer for half-day leave
Sir,
I am a student of Class 7, Roll 21. I have an appointment with an eye doctor at 12 p.m. today. My mother will take me to the clinic.
I, therefore, pray that you would kindly allow me to leave school after the third period.
Yours obediently,
Sabbir Hossain
Class: 7, Roll: 21
Sample 6: Short Email Version
Many schools now accept leave requests by email or messaging app. Keep the same polite tone.
Subject: Leave request – Nusrat Jahan, Class 10A, 18–19 August
Dear Madam,
I am unwell with a stomach infection and will not be able to attend school on 18 and 19 August. I will submit a doctor’s note when I return.
Kindly grant me leave for these two days.
Thank you.
Nusrat Jahan
Class 10, Section A, Roll 3
For more on writing polite emails, see Purdue OWL’s guide to email etiquette.
Useful Phrases
| Purpose | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Opening | With due respect, I beg to state that… |
| Opening | I would like to inform you that… |
| Reason | I was suffering from… / I have to attend… |
| Promise | I will cover the missed lessons. |
| Request | I, therefore, pray that you would kindly grant me leave for… |
| Closing | Yours obediently / Yours sincerely |
“Yours obediently” is traditional for students writing to the head of a school in South Asia. “Yours sincerely” is more common in international formal letters. Purdue OWL’s sample letters show the international style.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the subject line.
- Not giving exact dates.
- Writing a long story instead of a short reason.
- Using informal words like “hey” or “thanks a lot”.
- Forgetting your class and roll number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I address the application to?
Usually the headmaster, headmistress or principal. For a short absence, some schools ask you to write to your class teacher.
How long should a leave application be?
Keep it short: about 80 to 150 words is enough.
Should I write the application myself or ask my parents?
Older students usually write it themselves. Many schools prefer a parent to write or sign it for younger children.
Conclusion
An application for leave of absence is simple: date, receiver, subject, salutation, a short body with the reason and dates, a polite request and your details. Use the samples above as a guide, but always write your own true reason.
Clear writing needs correct punctuation, so review the rules of punctuation. You can also read our tips on using grammar in everyday writing and our organisational tips for school assignments to catch up after time away.
