We have recently received a letter from my children's primary school informing us we are being fined £240 for taking them out of school for 2 days after the recent half term. My children are 6 and 9.
We did so because we were visiting friends who live in Romania and flights from our nearest airport are only on Wednesdays. My children also had 4 days learning skiing which they loved.
I advised the school of my intention and expected it to be unauthorised but wasn't expecting to be fined for just 2 days. It seems you get fined this amount for 2 children whether it be for 2 days or 2 months!
From looking at other people's experiences online there is no recourse and no appeals process so we are stuck with having to pay.
I am arranging a meeting with the headmaster to discuss this and am fully aware that the fine cannot be undone. I just would like to know what his criteria is for deciding who to refer for fining.
My concern is that my son had a number of days off a month ago because of a very nasty chest infection. I think it would be unfair if the school is judging attendance on figures that include days off due to illness.
It's not about the money as much as the principle. If I had lied and told the school they had a stomach bug, nothing would have come of it. I was honest and got penalised. I know of a few parents that take their children out of school every year for a week or more and others that lie and say their kids are ill and take them out for a week - they will continue to get away with it.
I just wondered if anyone else has been fined for only a couple of days unauthorised absence?
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Fined £240 for taking kids out of school for 2 days
66 replies
StayAtHomeDad1 · 27/02/2017 10:29
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