If the school say "no" to a holiday... is that the end of it?

[Alambil]

Or could I go anyway (the week later - it's not booked yet) and say he was ill??

It is our first holiday for 3 yrs, last for the next 2 years and really my only opportunity to not have a mental breakdown!

I have filled out the form (not that they give you enough room to write a reason!) so will put that in later today...

How long does it take them to decide?

I REALLY hope they grant it

[Enid]

at ours you can have 10 days, unauthorised absence

[throckenholt]

I think if you go without permission it goes down as unauthorised.

If a break is so important to your health then I think that should take priority.

How old are the kids ?

[OverMyDeadBody]

/if they say no to authorising it you can still go anyway, it will just be marked as unauthorised, which at your DS's age it really doesn't matter.

[Alambil]

He is 5 - he's in reception (my only one) and it'll be the week after half term as it's the ONLY time I can afford it

[Enid]

I dont think they will say no

sometimes they are disapproving

just don't send him back with a souvenir to discuss in class (my personal bugbear)

[ChasingSquirrels]

We are going the week before half term, the holiday has been refused. I booked the holiday then put in the leave request form . It hadn't even crossed my mind not to go. ds also 5 in reception.

[Alambil]

So what will they do - just mark it as unauthorised? Seems a bit pointless seeing as it's them that need the "good" numbers on absences?!

[Enid]

thats what they do at ours

[Enid]

if you take more than 10 days it gets investigated

[sophiewd]

Our local primary you can have 10 days authorised leave, so fingers crossed you can get that, otherwise it gets marked down as unauthorised

[serenity]

A mum in our school has just been fined for taking her children out after being refused permission. I think the LEA is cracking down on us though, as in the past the Head has always been really lenient with allowing it.

[Alambil]

well he's been off ill twice (I think!) since September - in all other days... the holiday is only 5 days.

just have to wait n see I guess

[VictorianSqualor]

I can't see why they would say no tbh.
At DD's primary they have said no holidays during SATS weeks but that's the only times.

[legacy]

It depends on the school. As serenity says, some schools/ LEAs etc are beginning to use a fines system.

Part of the problem is, IIRC, that if a school has a level of unauthorised absences over a certain level they do not qualify for certain funding?