unauthorised absence

[HaveAcuppa]

Does anybody know how it works. My DD has been asked to go away with grand parents to visit visit family abroad. They want to book a flight 2 days before the school holiday as it is £600 cheaper in total!
I am aware of the rules and that school will not authorise this but someone said that you are able to take so many days unauthorised without being fined. Is this correct and how many days is it as going 3 days earlier is even cheaper for them.
I want her to go and some of the kids are on a residential that week but DD did not want to go (special needs) doubt any work will be missed.

[NigellasDealer]

phone her in sick on those days - with something too nasty to sit in doctor's e.g. stomach upset

[One4TheRd]

A sick bug usually carries a 48hr policy!!

[givemeaclue]

You need to ask school for permission. If you are caught out lying you will be more likely to be fined

[HaveAcuppa]

I don't really want to have to lie but don't want to tell them if it is going to be a straight forward no and then she cannot go.

[givemeaclue]

She can still go even if they say no. But without the lying

[creamteas]

According to the letter from DCs school, the fine is £60 per parent per absence. The absence but is not defined and there is a debate as to if it is sessions, day or holiday.

If two parents have PR, the fine could range from be £480 (4 missed sessions x two parents x 2 days) to £120 (1 holiday x 2 parents)

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Absence won't be authorised for a holiday. I'd go with the sickness bug phone call.
It's awful to have to advocate lying, but it's what we're being pushed into.

[prh47bridge]

I don't see any reason to lie. You ask for permission. If you don't get it (unlikely in these circumstances) you have a choice. Either your daughter misses the trip or you risk a fine.

The LA will have a code of practice which the school must follow. That will set out the circumstances in which you can be fined. I don't know which LA we are talking about so I can't advise but many would not allow the school to fine you for this absence. If you are fined it would be £60 per child per parent. I haven't come across any LA that allows fines per day or per session. I would therefore expect any fine to be no more than £120, although it will go up if it isn't paid promptly.

[HaveAcuppa]

Thank you for your responses, don't want to lie. I was told by someone that you were allowed so many unauthorised days without being fined but I can't find anything saying this.

[prh47bridge]

Go to your LA's website and search for their code of practice regarding fixed penalties for unauthorised absence. That will tell you if they have such a policy.

[FunkyBoldRibena]

Tell them you have arranged your own residential.

[Minime85]

each school has their own policy on this. some are tougher than others on enforcing it. it may also depend on what year she is in as for exam yr 10 or 9 will still prob be doing important stuff right til end. so only missing two days prob better.

[Travelledtheworld]

I was told by a school attendance officer that you can get away with up to five days UA before you get fined.

[prh47bridge]

I repeat, this depends on the LA's Code of Practice. And telling them you have arranged your own residential will get you nowhere.

[lljkk]

Each LA seems to have own rules, sadly.
I would definitely lie if I were OP.

[ChippyMinton]

Sorry to hijack the thread but your comments on this would be appreciated:
Months ago I booked flights for the Easter holidays leaving at 8pm Friday night. Ryanair The airline have just changed the flight time to 10am on the same day. Not too worried about the two DC at primary school, but DS1 is in Yr 7 at secondary which I believe is pretty hot on absence. Friday is a half-day and the morning session is pretty much taken up with whole school assembly. What to do?

[adoptmama]

ChippyMInton - provide school with proof you originally booked for after school finished and that the airline have changed the flight. Nothing you can do about it in those circumstances and I would expect school to be understanding of the circumstances. They will still have to record his absence as unauthorised however.

[pusspusslet]

I'd do what the first respondent suggested.

IMO it's not a moral issue so I wouldn't be concerned about lying.

[prh47bridge]

ChippyMinton - I would report the facts to the schools (both primary and secondary) with evidence. They may be willing to authorise the absence in these circumstances. Even if they don't I would be surprised if they fined you.

[ChippyMinton]

Thanks all. I will write to both schools with evidence.