Is my DD allowed to be absent from school for a week.. please help!

[aiti72]

Our DD is starting (private although I don't think that matters here) school reception class next September. She has been in the same school setting for the last two years (pre-school), but now we have a problem; DP hasn't had a vacation in three years (including the birth of DD2 when he was working on the actual day) and he is now being made reduntant. DP's last day of work will be 30th of October, the end of half term.. Do you think we could ask for the next week off for DD1..? Really really in need for a family vacation..

[thisisyesterday]

you would have to ask the school.
but presumably you could wait and take a holiday in the next school holiday?

[aiti72]

Thanks, thisisyesterday.. Cannot really wait as DP is a contractor and as I explained when there's work there's work even if your DP is in labour..

[SlartyBartFast]

you can ask, you may get unauthorised leave but i don't think that matters occasionally.

[DamonBradleylovesPippi]

Of course you can and you should imho. It is only the beginning of reception year, it is a special situation. I see no problem with it at all. I have friends who are allowed to take the children out for a week in order for them to attend special family gathering/occasions abroad. It's not during exam times, revision, sats etc. I would not worry one bit.

And if you worry about missing something I can tell you this: my dd, and many other children, who should be starting reception next sept will probably still not have a school to go to, unless we go private, and might have to stay at nursery till a place becomes free. She might miss months of reception. If that is okay then what's a week? I ask you.

[DamonBradleylovesPippi]

btw I didn't mean to be stroppy at you but at the system.

[lisad123]

take her, a week wont matter especially in reception, and tbh you cant learn everything in the classroom.

[mrz]

A week makes a big difference in reception especially at the beginning of the year

[seeker]

It's private. You're paying. Surely you call the shots?

[RustyBear]

Actually, the fact that it's private might be relevant because a private school may have different rules about unauthorised absence from a state school, which may form part of your contract with the school.

[aiti72]

DamonBradleylovesPippi, thank you for your kind answer. You weren't stroppy but honest, and I feel really stupid now. But my ignorance is only because I'm Nordic and in Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway) kids go to school when they are seven.. only to be the best students in every international league table at the time of A-levels. So forgive me that I'm really not that worried about the months your DD misses xxx

[DamonBradleylovesPippi]

aiti please do not worry you did not offend me at all. See where I come from we do not go to school till 6/7 so I cannot help but not worry about those first years in which they should mainly play and learn to socialise etc. I'm also planning to take my children away on occasion to go home. I will not worry about it. My daughter will be 4 the whole of reception year - how can a week off be of any damage to her? A weel of great time with her father who she doesn't see that often due to work it's much much more valuable at this stage imho. no?

I am also annoyed because I feel that this absence thing is a bit OTT at times and it is more about the school reports than the children. We had discussions with friends and other MNetter re school forcing children to go to school when not very well and implying the parents were wrong to keep them at home etc.

So please do not apologise to me at all, I am as ignorant and a newbe about the system as you .

[DamonBradleylovesPippi]

I can see now that me writing in a hurry did not convey what I meant to say. My first post was meant in total support of you rather than an accusation that you were worrying too much about a week while my daughter would be left damaged for life .

I am not worrying about my dd missing recption, if it should go to that. I know she'll have plenty of time to catch up.

God if I should worry about missing years at 4 what a life is in store for me?

In a nut shell, which I seem to be unable to do today, I support you! Take her out without a worry in the world this time and other times, when you want to go home for S.Lucia for example?

[aiti72]

Oh thanks DamonBradleylovesPippi. Very very good points and nicely written, thank you!

[LadyMuck]

If you've already used the school for 2 years, then they should realise that you're not the sort of parent who will ask for time off frequently.

I would however start the discussion as an enquiry to see if that particular timing would be very bad. Can't think why off the top of my head, but obviously missing school plays, outings, concerts etc may be less ideal than at other times.

[MollieO]

Ime private are as strict as state about attendance, if not stricter. Having said that your dd will not be of compulsory school age so I imagine it will be okay. We missed 3 days for a holiday in reception and will be doing the same again in year 1.