How to Write a Permission Letter for School (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Write a Permission Letter for School (Step-by-Step Guide)

Let’s be honest, we have all been there. You wake up with a serious fever, or maybe there is a family emergency that you just cannot miss. You know you won’t be in school, but you are worried about the punishment that waits for you when you return. This is where knowing how to write a permission letter saves you.

In the Nigerian education system, verbal excuses often hold no water. Teachers want proof. Whether you are preparing for your Junior WAEC or writing the SSCE English Language Paper 1, mastering this formal letter is non-negotiable. I always tell my students that a good letter is like a shield; it protects you from “kneel down and close your eyes” when you return to class.

Definition of a Permission Letter

A permission letter is a formal written request submitted to an authority figure to seek approval for an action or to justify an absence. It acts as an official record that explains why you are not present or why you need to engage in a specific activity.

Think of this letter as your “Exeat Card” in a boarding school. Without it, you are basically AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave). If you tell your Class Teacher you were sick but didn’t write a letter, it is just a story. But the moment you put it on paper with a signature, it becomes a document. Wikipedia defines a formal letter as a correspondence between two parties in a professional setting, and that is exactly what this is. You are the professional student, and the Principal is the authority.

Types of Permission Letters

The types of permission letters generally depend on the reason for the request. While the format remains strictly formal, the content varies based on your specific need.

Common types include:

• Permission for Sick Leave: This is written when you are ill and cannot attend classes. It often requires a medical report attached.

• Permission for Absence due to Family Events: This covers weddings, burials, or urgent family meetings.

• Permission to Use School Facilities: Sometimes, the Senior Prefect might write to the Principal asking to use the school hall for a debate or social night.

• Permission for Excursion: Written by a student representative or teacher to get approval for a field trip.

Features of a Permission Letter

A permission letter must strictly follow the formal letter layout mandated by the WAEC and NECO syllabus. If you miss one feature, you lose marks under “Organization” in your exam.

Here is the truth: exam markers are looking for specific things before they even read your first paragraph.

• Two Addresses: Your address on the top right, and the receiver’s address on the left (below your date).

• The Date: Written in full (e.g., 12th January, 2026) under your address.

• The Salutation: Strict and formal (e.g., “Dear Sir” or “Dear Ma”).

• The Heading (Title): Written in capital letters or underlined. It must summarize the letter.

• The Body: Three distinct paragraphs (Introduction, Body, Conclusion).

• The Subscript: “Yours faithfully,” followed by your signature and full name.

Steps to Write a Permission Letter

Writing a permission letter requires you to arrange your thoughts logically so the reader understands your request immediately. You are not writing a Nollywood script here; keep it straight to the point.

Follow this flow:

1. Start with the addresses: Place your address at the top right corner. The recipient’s designation (e.g., The Principal) and address go on the left side, a line lower than the date.

2. Create a strong Heading: This is the gate pass. It tells the Principal exactly what you want. For example: PERMISSION TO BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL.

3. The Introduction: Go straight to the point. State that you are writing to request permission. Don’t ask about the Principal’s family or the weather.

4. The Explanation: Give the reason. If you are sick, mention the illness. If it is a family issue, state it clearly.

5. The Closing: Thank the recipient in anticipation of a favorable response.

Sample Permission Letter for Absence from School

Below is a perfect example of how your letter should look in your notebook or exam sheet.

Block 5, Flat 12, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos State. 12th January, 2026.

The Principal, Ikorodu Grammar School, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Dear Sir,

PERMISSION TO BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL DUE TO ILL HEALTH

I am writing to formally request permission to be absent from school for three days, starting from Monday, 12th January to Wednesday, 14th January, 2026.

I was diagnosed with malaria and typhoid fever at the General Hospital yesterday. The doctor has advised strict bed rest and medication to ensure a quick recovery. I have attached the doctor’s report to this letter for your confirmation.

I promise to copy all notes and complete every assignment I miss during this period immediately after I resume.

Thank you for your kind understanding.

Yours faithfully,

(Signature)

Oluwaseun Adebayo

---

Conclusion

Writing a permission letter is one of the easiest ways to secure your marks in Section A of your English exam. It follows a rigid formula. Once you memorize the layout—address, date, title, body, sign-off—you are good to go. Do not overcomplicate it. Keep your sentences short, your grammar clean, and your tone respectful. Good luck!