Taking DC out of school for a holiday - how to tell them?

The question is stupid because it says at the top of the form (and is emphasised at every opportunity by the school) that term time holiday will never be authorised. There’s already a separate question which asks you to give any exceptional circumstances (family funeral etc). I’m not expecting them to authorise it, I know they won’t, they know they won’t, so why ask parents to waste my time trying to justify it.

At my school I say I'm taking them on holiday and they reply saying have a nice time

The question is to help the school work out if they can authorise the time off.

I don’t see why that is an unreasonable question at all, seems very valid. You have made the choice to take that time off during term time.

Seems like a reasonable question, why not just tell them that these two days are better spent on holiday in your opinion?

Can't say without knowing how old DC are?

We’re taking DS out two days early next week to go away for half term. DH emailed the school yesterday informing them. They replied saying we have to fill in a term time holiday request form. DH replied saying he wouldn’t be filling in the form as he wasn’t requesting, he was telling them! Honestly the form is ridiculous - includes the question “please explain why you cannot take holiday in the 13 weeks of school holiday your child already has” 🙄🙄

No way would school believe you where stuck there for another week.

just let them know, fill in the form, it will be unauthorised. You may get a fine. Enjoy the holiday and don’t worry about it

Just own it. Request the term time holiday form, fill it in and return it. Job done. It probably won't be authorised but so what? However, please don't expect the teacher to sort out extra catch-up work if applicable and don't be complaining if your DCs are behind in stuff when they get back Get together with another student and get them to tell your DCs what they've missed. Please don't lie about it. You must feel that this break is more important than school education at this time, or you wouldn't be going, so be confident in your decisions for your own kids.

Don't lie about it. The truth will always come out and then it puts your DC in an awkward position and damages your reputation with school - why would they believe you next time DC is ill?

Be upfront about where/when you're going and why. If you have circumstances you would like them to consider then explain these (e.g., that's the only full week you can get off work, its a rescheduled holiday due to covid and you've had minimal control over dates, etc). They might authorise it, they might not but go anyway and have a lovely time.

is it primary or secondary?

You need to contact the office and complete a form before you go. They will say it’s unauthorised but nothing they can do and a lot of people do it so don’t worry.

You should definitely tell them in advance though.

You email them saying x will be absent from school between this date and this date. No apology, request or explanation, unless you feel like giving an explanation.

At my school you fill in a leave of absence request. Then you are told it will be unauthorized. I don't expect the school will tell you you've ruined his education.

You might get a fine if you've done it a lot.