To take my kids out of school for three weeks

think the 2 weeks at the start of a new term isn't a good idea at all.
When our DC were 7 and 9 we took them out of school for the last two weeks of Autumn term so that we could go to Australia to spend Christmas with my sister and meet my niece (their cousin). It's the only time we've taken them out of school.
They are now both in their 20s and they have almost no memories of the trip even though they got to do some amazing things. If you are going to do a "holiday of a lifetime" then wait until they are older
Abstain

I was "that" mum, wanting to give my kids loads of life expierences and adventures. They remember a lot of stuff from.about 9 up but all tbe other stuff is very vague memories.
When ive talked to them about the countries we went to when they were the same age as yours they have no recollection.

Im not saying dont ever have holidays or expierences of course they do help children develop but personally i think its at the wro g part of tbe school year.

Looking back they would have been happier riding their bikes and playing with the friends and the adventures were what I thought they ought to be doing.

Theres not going to be that many things that will be a once in a life time for them.
Even if it is seeing a relative in a foreign country who you may not see again will have some, but not loads of impact on young children.

However, is it worth checking the school policy on whether they will de-register the children as a result of their absence? I may be wrong but from MN I’ve gleaned that many schools will not keep your child’s place after a 2 week absence, especially if they have a waiting list? If they do not return at the start of a school term it may trigger that process?

Obviously that would be why I’d talk to the school about accepting the financial/fine-related consequences of the absence - but I’d want to be clear what the other consequences are?

For context, my child was signed off school by GP for 6 weeks due to anxiety and MH issues awaiting a CAMHS assessment at 7. The HT said that my child had to be in school the following week or they’d deregister her… I ended up home schooling for nearly a year and then having to put her in a private school as there were no local school places.

Please read the previous thread that has been linked to and make sure you understand the (definite) exposure to the fine and the amount and the (possible) exposure to criminal charges before you do anything.

If you can get comfortable with that, my main concern would be if they were missing 2 weeks at the start of an academic year - I'd be worried about them going into a classroom where friendships and routines were already formed and struggling to find their "place" in the class - that's assuming we're talking about a trip over the summer holidays, although that's not been said.

Would some kind of compromise be available, whereby you cut the trip a bit short so they don't miss the two weeks of school? To expect a bit of flexibility one the last week of term (albeit with a fine) seems reasonable to me.

Depends on the reason for the once in a lifetime trip and other circumstances but they are unlikely to go for it unless the reason/circumstances are exceptional.

Back in October, my son was taken out of school for 8 days for a once in a lifetime trip and it was authorised by the head teacher.

I would go for it unless there are specific issue with your children struggling academically or socially that would mean missing those three weeks would have a serious detrimental impact on their education.

I think for the vast majority of children there would be no long-term damage from missing three weeks as a one-off. The benefits of the experiences they will have will likely outweigh any short term loss.

Where is everyone getting the idea that they'll be missing the start of an academic year? I've read and re-read both the OP's posts and that isn't stated as the case anywhere

@scratchingheads I'd do it without hesitation tbh. Just talk to the school first, don't try and hide it.

Can't you change the dates a bit and miss more time at the end of term and not miss the start of the next school year? End of term in uk primary schools is a lot more fluffy stuff (of the type a "once in a lifetime" holiday might cover) and missing two weeks at the start of the year will be more of a problem (socially too).

They will barely remember the holiday by the time they're teens, so don't kid yourself it's once in a lifetime for them in terms of "making memories" - more useful if it's to cement their existence in the minds of extended family on a visit to your heritage country where extended family still live, but not useful if it's a cruise or something!

Go for it.
Life is too short.
Jump at opportunities

There was a thread not too long ago about someone being prosecuted for taking their children out at the end of term for too long. I think they were a social worker or similar and were worried about how that would impact their ability to work, so I would be prepared for that if you were to proceed

Id take them out. Work out what the rules are and how to minimise any of the LA penalties etc

Maybe 'home school' them and then move them back into school? Not all schools are over subscribed.

Here's the thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5417392-kids-missed-3wks-school-council-taking-me-to-court.

There was also a follow-up one.

Are you in England? If so, please read up on the rules. They changed not too long ago. There was another thread here as someone mentioned. They had taken their kids out of school for 3 weeks and it counted as 3 periods which meant that the parents received a date to be in court where they would face a criminal conviction and a 2.5K fine. It's no longer about just paying a fine unfortunately.

Here's where you can read about it: www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence/legal-action-to-enforce-school-attendance

You need to weigh up the pros and cons.

once in a lifetime holiday would be a massive pro for doing it for some. For some the fine, time of school etc would outweigh the holiday joy.

Take into consideration all of the above and research the fine amount for the 5 year old. Personally for me with dc alone then once in a lifetime would have decided for me. But for my dc2 with sen, I'd be gutted but turning down holiday would be the choice.

Can you compromise and miss the last week of school which is pretty much fun times mixed with a bit of learning. But be back for the start of school when they'll be meeting new friends, new routines etc and more important? Or is it miss both or nothing?

2 weeks at beginning of term are crucial. Not just learning, but socially as well. It's a big deal for children, of all ages.

And don't kid yourself about how enriching life experiences you can give them at the age of 5/6. That's bullshit. They will barely remember it.

They will however remember struggling with school from the very beginning and spending a whole term catching up.

Have a good long look at what the Local Authority (and it is the local authority NOT the school) policy is for 3 weeks off - there are quite a few instances (including one on here) where a 3 week absence leads straight to court and prosecution (and it is in the rules to do so).

Absence laws are awful and prohibitive but it isn’t the school - there is nothing the school can do and even if you did lie that amount of absence would be flagged and unauthorised anyway so honesty is best.

then the school will send the register data to the relevant LA and they will decide how to proceed. Getting an idea of what they will do is key

Do it if you want but the school can't authorise it so suck up the fine and no whinging about it

Also not British and find the focus on attendance unusual here.

Most countries in the world children seem to cope with missing some school here and there, especially for lifetime experiences. I missed 4 weeks in year 6 for a round the world trip and it was incredible! My siblings and I did very well at school and are well educated adults!

I don’t think people are saying primary years teaching don’t matter, a bit of a jump to get to that from it being ok to miss a few weeks. Mine have missed more than that from bad bugs a few times
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It won’t be authorised and you will need to pay a fine for the 5 yo but I would absolutely do it. They are so young it is not going to do them any harm missing school at this age.

Retired primary school teacher here with 44 years experience.
I've taught so many children over the years and I'm not against parents taking children out of school for a week's holiday, but three weeks interspersed with an end of term holiday is too long especially for the child in Year 1.
It definitely won't be authorised, but it's your life and whatever you decide to do, I hope you come to the right decision for everyone.

It doesn’t make me cross, it just perplexes me.

’Yeah, they do nothing important; they are only … learning to read?’ 😂

It really makes me so cross when people say missing school doesn’t matter because they’re young, like the work of an early years teacher is meaningless. Some of the largest amount of learning of the child’s school career happens in early years. They’re building the foundations for the rest of their life long learning.

My son is in year 1 and his attendance so far this year is less than 60% and it has not held him back in the slightest - I really wouldn’t worry about harming their education in the slightest as a one off. The school won’t authorise the absence but you won’t get fined for your 4 year old - just your 5 year old.

Really really depends what It is and tbh the attendance rate at your school. My siblings children were authorised for cultural experiences related to their heritage for example. Visiting family a long way away maybe.

probaly unlikely if you’re just on a cool holiday

School won't authorise it. But that's fine, it's only really matters to the school whether absence is authorised or not.

Don't lie about going on holiday. A long absence will trigger the child missing from education process which is a lot of work for school staff, so they will appreciate you being honest and providing copies of flight details if they ask.

However that is a long absence and you may be looking at being taken to court about it. I'm not an expert on the trigger points but currently 10 days in a rolling period is the point at which court action can be authorised.

Please speak to the attendance team about the implications before you book anything.