To lie to the kids' school?

Lie makes it easier for them too. Nobody cares it's a one off.

Don’t lie. By all means apply for the approved absence, but when it is refused 😀let them know you will be going anyway. What you really mustn’t do ,which will annoy the school more than anything is to rock up with a smile on your face a few days before and ask for some “work to take with you so they don’t fall behind”. You take your kids out of school, they miss out on some learning, that’s what happens,

Just tell them the truth. They may not be able authorise it (though ours did authorise a week in Ireland for my cousin's wedding) but nor can they stop you going.

Just tell the school. It’s unlikely you’ll get a fine for 3 days. If it was one child, sickness sounds more believable than both being off at exactly the same time. I’ve actually never had both of mine poorly at the same time.

I don't think there's any need to criticise parents for being unsure what to do and resorting to lying.

You can and I was fined for one day annoyingly the only day DS had off that academic year. It’s unlikely on a midweek holiday.

Of course you should lie. It’s fascist that you can’t take your kids to your friends wedding without lying but that’s the society you live in

The school generally aren’t allowed by the local authority to approve absences for this sort of thing (only in exceptional circumstances) so if you request it, it will almost certainly be unauthorised. However they can’t stop you from taking them out, and will only fine if it meets the threshold for absences. The fine comes from the Local Authority via the school as a middle man too just in case you thought it was the school who would fine you. I think it’s always best to just be honest though- put the request in, expect it to be unauthorised and take them away for the 3 days.

TBH most people just lie and say they’re sick. The school have a legal responsibility to monitor and report absence, but it only becomes a problem if children are regularly missing school. The class teachers 100% do not care if you’re saying they’re sick but actually going on holiday (I can say this as an ex-teacher with confidence) and it always used to make me chuckle when a kid came back from a week off “sick” with a cracking tan.

In an English state school? That's very surprising, £120 isn't even a fine amount is it?

@AutumnLover1989

They definitely dont, when I was a school governor this was looked at and most of the parents acted like normal people and said their children would be off as they were going away.

Lying about is is a bit pathetic imo

We tell the truth, get in a bit of trouble but haven't been fined yet.

Let the school know on the Monday that they won't be in Tues - Thurs, as you're attending a friends wedding abroad. If it's only 6 sessions you shouldn't* get a fine. Don't ask permission (they can't grant it anyway), but just let them know so they're not following up or trying to contact you. For a couple of days, there shouldn't be too much to catch up, but maybe you could do some maths worksheets or reading on the plane, if you're actually concerned about them missing something (or they need some structure etc).

*may be different in different areas, or if they've missed more school this year.

Sickness and diarrhoea - have to have a few days off.

@Bananasinpyjamass3rd option - bend the truth.

Do your DC call your friend Aunty? V normal for kids to call close friends of parents aunty/Uncle. So request absence for 3 days to go to Aunty Xs wedding abroad may well be granted. Not a lie... just bending the truth.

Even if it is not authorized, it has to be 5 days + for a fine so just put in the request and don't give it another thought.

Tell the truth and factor the cost of fines into the cost of going.

I wouldn't lie. I know somone who works in a school and if you lie they lose all respect for you. Just suck it up and pay the fine or don't go. its unlikely u would be fine for 3 days anyway.

Just tell the truth … you won’t get fined for 3 days.
Is their attendance ok generally?

No they don't. Some of us are still honest. What sort of a role model are you to your kids with your abysmal attitude?

Tell the truth to the school. Buy a map of the country and teach the children a few things about it. Get them to do a little talk about what they saw and have learned about the country on their return. Turn it into an educational experience which will be beneficial to all of the children.

Ps by the way, your friend in education is a disgrace.

Definitely don't lie, there won't be any action taken against you for 3 days out of school. I wouldn't bother submitting the request form if it was me as it will be declined but just tell them the day you take them out that you are going to a friends wedding and the date they will return to school.

Our school has recently started putting something particularly scathing in the weekly newsletter regarding parents lying about absences.

Talks about relationship breakdown with the school, the morality of teaching children to lie, then says they more than often know and will record it as unauthorised anyway.

I would (and have done when took DC out of school for two days before half-term last year) just be honest. It was obviously recorded as unauthorised, but all the office said was "Have a great holiday!"

Be honest with the school. It's pointless lying because I can absolutely guarantee, one of your children will tell a staff member! I work in a school, and see it often, children supposedly 'off sick', and when they come back, they tell me they went to Legoland or had a long weekend away!!! No, the time off won't be authorised by the school. Once the school enter the absence as 'unauthorised', then it's down to the LEA if a parent is fined - the school have no say in the matter. For 3 days, you may not be fined anyway.

Don't lie.. just inform them of the situation that you are taking them..if you get a fine then so be it.. if its a one off .then you prob won't get a fineo

You wont get fined but they cant authorise it. Thats how it works here anyway

I wouldn’t lie, other than to perhaps frame it as a family wedding.

In fact I’d more than likely stay abroad until the weekend and make a holiday out of it, since you’re going to the expense of travelling anyway. Send them to school Monday and maybe Tuesday morning then enjoy the rest of the week in the sunshine. Most LA’s don’t fine unless a whole week is missed.