Term time holiday dates dilemma

Pinkfluffyunicornsandrainbows · 12/09/2025 19:35

Go and enjoy your holiday!! Don't even think about the 2 days off school, it's no big deal. You can't be fined anyway, tell the school you'll be away and don't give it a second thought.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 12/09/2025 19:24

I voted YABU. That’s about lying to school, not going on the holiday.

Go and have a lovely time, but just be honest with school.

Pessismistic · 12/09/2025 19:21

user657865337 · 11/09/2025 19:54

My DS started reception this year. We have booked a holiday for what we thought was October half term but it turns out we are actually due to fly out two days before term finishes eeek (apparently DH checked the 24/25 calendar rather than the 25/26 calendar hence the mistake). We can pay a fair few hundred to change the date but I’d really rather not. AIBU to call him in sick for the two days? What would you do?? If it makes a difference he turns 5 at the beginning of October

Hi op don’t call in sick for him they might ask him if he’s better now and dc might say why? Don’t put your dc in that position just speak to his teacher and explain dh booked a holiday based on last year dates so he will have to be off for 2 days don’t mention a fine but it will be cheaper than rearranging the dates.

Original poster

user657865337 · 12/09/2025 08:49

Treesarenotforeating · 12/09/2025 07:51

Don’t lie about being dick
have had a child off last wk and the parent rang into say they were ill on the day before they were flying, we knew she was fine
schools know the methods

Thanks, had to read that a couple of times before I realised it was a typo ha

OP posts:

Treesarenotforeating · 12/09/2025 07:51

Don’t lie about being dick
have had a child off last wk and the parent rang into say they were ill on the day before they were flying, we knew she was fine
schools know the methods

Original poster

user657865337 · 12/09/2025 07:50

Tiswa · 12/09/2025 07:33

From work?

but yes just tell them it will be 2 days holiday (which is a different code) and forget about it

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Both self employed so not required and didn’t trigger us to check anything to be honest

OP posts:

PicaK · 12/09/2025 07:47

Work in a school office - we ask interestedly where people are going and wish them a lovely time whilst quickly processing and handing out an unauthorised absence form from the head the next day.
Sickness has to be logged it's more complicated. And If they lie to us there is paperwork and logging safeguarding concerns and soooo much extra work. And we really resent the extra work.

Tiswa · 12/09/2025 07:33

user657865337 · 12/09/2025 07:21

What annual leave?

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From work?

but yes just tell them it will be 2 days holiday (which is a different code) and forget about it

MinnieMountain · 12/09/2025 07:31

@neverbeenskiing do you mind if I jump on and ask a question? What would happen in your school if a parent booked a holiday because of inset days, then the school moved one inset day?

LadyGAgain · 12/09/2025 07:24

Don’t call him in sick. Don’t make him lie.
just fill in the form. You’ll be unauthorised but not fined and have a lovely holiday! Schools are totally onto “sick” before a holiday. Don’t start his school journey as “those parents”.

Original poster

user657865337 · 12/09/2025 07:21

Blueberry911 · 12/09/2025 06:38

Surely both you and he noticed when booking annual leave and the holiday that you were booking to go midweek? You need to own that you did it to save a few hundred £££, not pretend it was completely an accident. They won't authorise it either way.

What annual leave?

OP posts:

Iocainepowder · 12/09/2025 07:13

Just be honest with them and have a great time.

Thechaseison71 · 12/09/2025 07:09

Blueberry911 · 12/09/2025 06:38

Surely both you and he noticed when booking annual leave and the holiday that you were booking to go midweek? You need to own that you did it to save a few hundred £££, not pretend it was completely an accident. They won't authorise it either way.

It doesn't need to be authorised. The child isn't of compulsory school age anyway

Thechaseison71 · 12/09/2025 07:08

user657865337 · 11/09/2025 19:58

Thank you. Does this mean it’s not compulsory for him to be in school until January?

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Yes Term after he turns 5

Zanatdy · 12/09/2025 07:08

Don’t call in sick. Just sent an email to say he is going on holiday. You won’t be fined for 2 days.

butterdish93 · 12/09/2025 07:08

our head teacher automatically authorises any absences for 4 year olds and 5 year olds who have turned 5 that term.

butterdish93 · 12/09/2025 07:07

He only has to be in school the term after he turns 5. Which would be January.
but even so. It’s absolutely fine. He’s your kid! The school don’t own you.

OldChinaJug · 12/09/2025 06:58

It's 2 days. I had a child come in for the first day of term this autumn and has been off since because of a family holiday. Last year, I had a child start 2 weeks late because of a family holiday. I'm in KS2.

There's no point in lying because children always tell their teacher they're going on holiday 😉 Just tell them what you've said here about it being an error and that'll be the end of it. But don't lie.

It will be unauthorised but nothing will happen other than it will be recorded as an unauthorised holiday on the register. That's it.

Hes only compulsory school age the term after he turns 5

Once they are enrolled, attendance expectations are the same.

TutTutTutSigh · 12/09/2025 06:46

KatyaKat · 11/09/2025 22:28

You only get fined for 5 consecutive days, not 2

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I thought it was 10 sessions in a 10 (12?) week period now, not necessarily consecutive. I was fined in May and looked up the new rules but I may be wrong.

Blueberry911 · 12/09/2025 06:38

Surely both you and he noticed when booking annual leave and the holiday that you were booking to go midweek? You need to own that you did it to save a few hundred £££, not pretend it was completely an accident. They won't authorise it either way.

Newton161 · 11/09/2025 23:27

ToKittyornottoKitty · 11/09/2025 23:23

Theres no point debating further with someone with such a small minded way of looking at things.

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You haven’t debated anything. I have simply stated my preference and my circumstances. Both are accurate.

When I chose a school for my DS I was staggered how few people actually undertook any research into their options and just went for their local, often quite underwhelming, catchment school.

TurquoiseDress · 11/09/2025 23:24

Just tell the school you’re going on holiday/away so your child will not be in school

If it’s then put down as unauthorised leave then so be it, not the end of the world

Why lie and say he’s unwell?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 11/09/2025 23:23

Newton161 · 11/09/2025 23:21

What is gullible about that?

Parents don’t all value education the same. Why would you not want to be mixed with like minded souls whether that be peers who prioritise schooling or those who want a discount break in Turkey?

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Theres no point debating further with someone with such a small minded way of looking at things.

Hiptothisjive · 11/09/2025 23:22

As others have said don’t lie. Why is the first though to lie after making an honest mistake. Your kid might only be four but telling the truth, taking responsibility, owning up to a mistake and doing the right thing are important lessons both can learn.

Newton161 · 11/09/2025 23:21

ToKittyornottoKitty · 11/09/2025 23:14

‘Gullible’ is what they call that. And no, the first one is an opinion, fact.

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What is gullible about that?

Parents don’t all value education the same. Why would you not want to be mixed with like minded souls whether that be peers who prioritise schooling or those who want a discount break in Turkey?