To panic about booked holiday and being fined?

[CreativeBee]

Our 10 year old has special needs and part of her medical condition is that she has little control of her body temperature which means going abroad during Easter/Summer holidays is out of the question so hubby has booked a family holiday for December but it means that our 17 year old DS and 10 year old DD will miss 2 days of the last week before the Christmas holidays. AIBU to panic about being fined? DH asked me last week before he put a deposit down and I said that as it was the last two days of the Christmas school week they'll be fine but I'm now seriously worried 😩

[PotteringAlong]

Just pay the fine?

[CreativeBee]

Thank you EyeStye, I'll have a look and see what it says.

[EdenX]

Unlikely to be fined for less than 8 half days where I am.

[2014newme]

No. You only get fined after 5 days.
I take mine out for 5 days every year and have never been fined.
The ruling today means they can't authorise the absence but they won't fine you fir 2 days.

[2014newme]

The op holiday wouldn't count as,exceptional circumstances. It's possible to go on holiday in December without missing school.

[CreativeBee]

I need to get help for this anxiety/panic

[autumnne]

You don't need a foreign holiday...

[harderandharder2breathe]

I really wouldn't worry about 2 days.

Even if you did get fined... it's small in comparison with the cost of a holiday, so just pay it?

[2014newme]

You WON'T be fined. I do it every year for a full week.

[CreativeBee]

autumnne I completely agree, we don't need a foreign holiday but we thought it would be nice since we've saved and not been away UK/abroad since 2013. I don't mind paying the fine just didn't want the added stress really

[viques]

There are places to go abroad that are not hot at Easter and Summer.

[gluteustothemaximus]

These threads never go well.

It's only 2 days. It's Christmas. Look forward to your lovely holiday

[CreativeBee]

Thank you gluteustothemaximus 😊

[Notso]

Abroad isn't one big place that's hot all year around except in December!

However I wouldn't be worried about two days off. Have a good holiday.

[Lizzylou]

I don't think that you will have a problem tbh, and no, you don't NEED a holiday but it sounds like you have excellent reasons for wanting one.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

It will depend in which area you live whether you are fined or not so posters cannot specifically reassure you that you won't be but I think it would be unlikely if you explain the circumstances.


Our school used to finish at lunchtime at Christmas and we booked evening flights for that day. They then decided this particular year it would be full day. We took DS out at lunchtime and said he could watch the SnowQueen DVD and stuff his face with crisps in the car so he won't miss anything to the Headmaster who smiled and winked at me! I suspect it will be the usual concerts, parties and clear up they'll miss so they may be gutted to miss the fun stuff!

[Mamabear14]

I took mine out for 3 days in December a few years back for a trip to Lapland. It wasn't authorised but I took them anyway, didn't get fined. Ended up being 4 days off too as we had a 24hr delay on the way home.
I don't regret it, although my eldest is high school age now so I don't want him missing school. When I took him away it was primary and mostly concentrating on the play/disco. We do a week in Cornwall in the summer holidays now.

[Wolfiefan]

Budget for a fine just in case.
Next year don't go abroad or choose a country that won't be hot. As Notso said the entire world won't be boiling hot during every holiday.

[Muskey]

I don't want to be unkind but at the end of the day you have to accept that you might be fined. If you are not great stuff. If you are then I am afraid you will have to pay it regardless. Go on holiday and enjoy yourself but be prepared for the consequences

[Rosieposy4]

Really poor timing for your 17 year old as well. I teach crucial stuff right up to the final lesson with exam classes.
Last 2 days with one of my y12 groups this year would mean three missed lesson of my subject alone.

[cardibach]

While I agree about teaching Y12/13 up to the end of every term, how do you know your timetable for December? I'll be lucky to get mine in August!
OP, it'll be fine. Don't let the fine stress you, just pay it. If you don't like it, book an August holiday in a cool place next time.

[newbie789]

In our area you have to miss 10 consecutive sessions (5 days) or more to be fined
Don't worry about it and enjoy your holiday

[BubbleBed]

Put the £120 fine to one side, and think of it as a holiday cost. Then it's a bonus if you're not fined.

I can't see you being fined for two days, especially if all other attendance is ok. Just be aware your sixth former may have deadlines or mocks around that time, so might be a little stressed.