Done to death - school child

[eastdulwichbedwetter]

My mother has offered to take us on an amazing holiday for three weeks at Easter to South Asia.

We both work part time out of the home and have a 5 year old in Reception and a toddler.

5 year old has not previously missed school. Is ahead generally and likes school.

This isn't a cost issue as the flights are scheduled and pricey anyway, more a length of time issue and not being able to get this time off during any other holiday.

Of course I will ask for permission but wondered what the implications were?

[pussycatdoll]

Well the worst will be a £60 fine if you pay it on time
I'd go
Sounds an amazing holiday

[Gladvent]

Ooh sounds amazing! Am totally jealous. I suppose your DC will miss 5 days of school, maybe 4 if there is an inset day tagged to the holiday, and your fine is £60 per parent. Have a brilliant time.

[eastdulwichbedwetter]

I meant to amend the above to say we'd only be taking 4 days off school to tack onto the easter holiday. Not 3 weeks out of school.

Thanks.

[ShiftyFades]

Your request (presumably for 1 week out of term time) will be rejected and the absence will be marked as unauthorised. You will have an amazing holiday
The education authority MAY decide to fine you. That will be £60 per parent. You'll pay the fine and all Will be well.

I'm in a similar position. Taking a 5 year old reception child out for 2 days because there were actually no seats left on flights out of London to Florida on the first Saturday of Easter hols. I've even got the email proving it, but we still haven't been granted permission. It's a one off, while family holiday and was booked a year ago.

But the head is understanding. He just can't authorise it

[eastdulwichbedwetter]

thanks. we went to this place a year or so ago.

My mother inherited some money and can't go on her own, I suspect she wants to go to these places while she still can. We usually holiday together anyway and get on very well.

[ShiftyFades]

Whole^

[Lucyccfc]

Why not save all the hassle with school and fines and go for 2 weeks?

I know it's long haul, but 2 weeks is still plenty of time.

[lljkk]

I don't see how anyone sane would go to South Asia for just 2 weeks. The jet lag both ways will be tough; 2 weeks in total allows almost no time spent not suffering from jet lag. Colleague is from that part of the world & takes a month to travel back every yr to visit; the jet lag never gets better for her. When we come back from California next time I fully expect to turn up to work at 4pm lots of days (luckily I have a job where that can work); will take me at least a week to get over it.

I know a lot of MNers say that Jetlag is entirely imaginary; well, bully for you. I bet OP's kids will have something different to say about it.

[eastdulwichbedwetter]

I know, I used to live in SE Asia and found it took a few days to normalise. after a London-Singapore flight. This flight is 10 hours max.

[WoodBurnerBabe]

If your 5yo was 5 after 1st January, it won't even be unauthorised as s/he is not of legal school age until the start of the summer term.

[eastdulwichbedwetter]

She's 5 before Christmas her attendance is compulsory. And as the poster said above, if they are enrolled they have to go.

I can only beg the headteacher. Tell him about the wildlife sanctuaries being educational etc etc.

[Frogbyanothername]

Don't beg. The head won't be allowed to agree. She can't bend the rules just because its educational/that's where your mother wants to go. There are no exceptional circumstances, I assume?

Just accept that it will be unauthorised.

[MerylStrop]

I think it is actually £60 per day, and can be per parent per day (or even "session/ie half day). Someone will know better than I - but for 4 days it could be £480 - £980.

Heads have virtually no "discretion" now so it is likely to be unauthorised, but if her attendance is otherwise good and it was a first and only time likely to happen…...they probably wouldn't fine you for a first and only occurrence unless 1. the HT was on one and wanting to make an example, 2. ditto LEA.

[eastdulwichbedwetter]

I was being tongue in cheek!

But yes.

[Sirzy]

I was going to say the same as Meryl. Perhaps it depends on lea? I would clarify that and then factor it in and perhaps try to cut it down a few days to save on the fine cost?

[Hassled]

4 days unauthorised if attendance is otherwise good won't be an issue, I'm sure.

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

I'd definitely do it. What the hell is a 5 year old going to learn of any real benefit in 4 days compared to a holiday abroad in Asia?

Also children are horrible for like months ime a week from the exhaustion of long haul flights and time difference. Woudl be a waste to go for less

[soapboxqueen]

While the fine is per parent it is for each period of absence so not per day or half day. So two weeks would be one absence, one week off, then a few days back and another week off would be two.

However, I don't doubt the need for some leas to see it differently.

[ginbin54]

Sounds like an amazing holiday, I would definitely go! It's not as though your dd is about to sit her GCSEs.

[deakymom]

check first if you are charged per day so your not hit with a shock (enjoy your holidayx)

[mrsjay]

you had a thread on this earlier why are you starting another out of interest

[eastdulwichbedwetter]

I'd bodged the title, sorry!

[mrsjay]

oh i see ok

[Grennie]

I would let him go and pay any fine.

But jet lag lasts a few days and it is perfectly possible to go long haul for 2 weeks. My DP is self employed but has ongoing clients. It is very difficult for us to take more than 2 weeks. We have been loads of long haul places, and it has been fine.