Unauthorised Absence & Prosecution

[Figgywoo]

What starts off the process of fines or prosecutions following unauthorised absence from school. Is it the school themselves who refer the case to the authorities - or is there any other way ?

Im worried that the 2 days holiday requested and unauthorised during this term will lead to prosecution - however the school office kind of tried to say it was just a formality - well not exactly in those words, but I think that is what she was implying.... but I'm a born worryer and cant get the possibiblity of prosecution out of my head.

Can any one help ?

[LadyMuck]

I think that you have to exceed 9 days ie 10 or more before anyone would consider taking any action. And prosecution is still pretty much a last resort.

[luciemule]

Not sure if it's still relevant but all children were allowed 10 days absence as long it was authorised. I thin it was supposed to be consecutive days in case there was a very good reason why you couldn't take your family hols during the summer but not sure now if rules have changed.

I'm sure the school will authorise it if it's not a regular occurence and it's not over important days at school

[edam]

Oh, don't worry about two days, they only prosecute for repeated, long term problems! Many schools refuse holidays in term times and mark them as unauthorised because I think they are under some sort of Dept of Children cosh at the moment to crack down on holidays.

[Figgywoo]

Thanks for the replies so far, the reason they've unauthorised it is that he's in Year 6 and its the final approaches into SATS, therefore they wont authorise any application for holiday, I just hoped that as his attendance has always been so good (always close to 100%) that they would allow these 2 days off - but NO! But as already said Im such a worrying type Im hoping that if the only way any prosecution could begin would be actually from the school then things ought to be ok.... but I just dont know

[luciemule]

The thing is, they wouldn't say a thing if you pretended he'd been ill for 2 days (obviously they'd notice now you've already asked) and just sent a sick note - they would authorise it.
It's all about statistics and that really bugs me!

[kiskidee]

prosecution is a loooong way down the road from 2 dys unauthorised absence.

one child i know of has around 80% attendance for the last 3.5 yrs (secondary) and the same kind of thing in primary. His parents have finally been prosecuted and fined.

[Figgywoo]

Yep, I'm kicking myself that I didnt go for the sicknote thing myself before handing in the application form - the really annoying thing is we see loads of kids in the neighbourhood who have umpteen days out with a sore throat, headache etc, then by the time you come home from school in the afternoon they are all out playing... yet I dont think my DS has had a day off sick in the last 2 years !

[luciemule]

I'd write/arrange a meeting with head and tell her that last bit above - about no sickness etc.