Unauthorised absence in Year 13

Bookmum that's irrelevant where they were living they weren't missing 2 weeks school at a critical time. You're being disingenuous.. Alo bollo that you don't know if anyone in your class was married, it's not the norm!

"Isn't a lot of Year 13 fairly independent learning anyway and with the internet your child will be able to communicate with their teachers and fellow students easily and really not miss that much."

No. You clearly don't have any idea of having children in year 13. It might possibly be OK for some non facilitating subjects, but for science and maths missing 10 days of school at such a crucial time will definitely have an impact on A level grades.

And ignore StereophonicallyChallenged who clearly has absolutely no idea about the pressures that being in year 13 entails. This time last year DD had not finished her A level courses (not helped by having had several snow days due to the Beast from the East).

Please take notice of Bunnylove83's post. It makes perfect sense. Why would you jeopardise your child's chances of getting into a good university?

Hollow I don't know if anyone I was at 6th Form with was actually married but I know some had moved out of their family homes and were living independently (and possibly with boyfriend/girlfriend). Infact a girl in my year group had moved out of home when we were still in 5th Year (ie Year 11). She was 16.
As for 'independent study' what I meant was that the vast majority of A levels is working on your own rather than in lessons. I had more 'free periods' - where you spent the time doing your actual assignments than classroom time. You were basically meant to do almost all the work yourself. At least that's how it was in the early 90s.

I'm a Head of Sixth Form. Others are correct that the school cannot fine, but they can make a decision to not enter him for all of his A Levels if his attendance is poor, and while two weeks wouldn't qualify for this then if he needs to take more unexpected time off for illness or bereavement then it might. He is also likely to have days off to visit universities which is going to further reduce his attendance.

More than that though I would be incredibly frustrated that you are purposely undermining the need to go to school. If he feels ill in the autumn then nothing you or teachers say about the importance of attending school is going to make him feel that he can't take time off because you've previously supported that.

Finally, and perhaps you are not but it doesn't sound like that, please don't underestimate the importance of lessons in Year 13. Again and again I see students with lower attendance figures in year 13 getting to Easter and just not being able to pull back lessons missed. Some students and parents think that all lessons can be caught up through text books and online resources. If it were true then teaching would become an obselete profession. Much more than y11 and even y12 the lesson is far more about the knowledge and experience of the teacher than simply reading and completing a resource.

Please support the school on this one. They have your son's best interest at heart.

Bookmum, do you know any married 17 year olds in 6th form? Thought not. But even if you did, they'd have to postpone that honeymoon till after 6th form beca 2 weeks 9ff in year 13 is a bad idea and no, they aren't on independent study till after Easter plus uni stuff!

There's what 39 school weeks in a year. Less in year 13 as they finish April/may time and you think it's ok to take your kid out for two of them? Can they not stay with someone?

Isn't a lot of Year 13 fairly independent learning anyway and with the internet your child will be able to communicate with their teachers and fellow students easily and really not miss that much. If your child (practically an adult) wants to see the relative compete in the sporting event then by Year 13 he should be able to sort out what needs to be caught up with his work by himself. Honestly people seem to think that a teens life should grind to a halt for the 4/5 years they are doing gcses and alevels. I feel so sorry for teens.
Although this obviously is against the point of what you asked - I can't see how they can fine you. A 17 year old could be married and living away from their parents and still be in 6th Form at the same time!

I think it's off that you are considering taking him out of school in such an important year, because another family member is competing in a sport's event.

What's happening to your other children? Are they all being taking out of school too?

Is there no one that can stay at home to ensure that your children remain in school?

Can I suggest you read the further education/higher education threads so you can understand just how important year 13 is., and how important not missing any school in year 13 is.

Also pay attention to noblegiraffe. She knows what she is talking about.

I think you'll be fine OP. As you say, it's not a legal requirement yo be in school so how can they fine for absence?! For instance a 16/17 year old at college would not be fined would they?
My ds, year 11, is missing lots of school at the moment, albeit authorised absence, due to playing a sport at scholarship level for a professional team. His school seem pleased for him, and at no point has anyone suggested he will fail exams because of this. Authorised/unauthorised makes no difference really imo.

Sorry, but I am staggered that you think this is more important than getting good A level grades

Not great parenting IMO. Your priorities are completely skewed. Another

Shouldn't it be about whether his results could be affected by a 2 week absence? You don't seem interested in that at all!

Still no. A level year

Would be better for the Y13 to stay at home. 2 weeks absence would affect final grades.

Not really a good reason.

No, compulsory school age has not been extended. Young people are required to be in education or training until they are aged 18 but that did not change the definition of compulsory school age.

He'll only have a couple of weeks left surely?

I thought the school age had been extended, but if not this is like fining someone for removing a 4 year old out of school before the term before they are 5. Utter bollocks. They might try, but just refer them back to their own policy and the education act.

Fines can only be levied if the child is of compulsory school age. A Y13 child is no longer of compulsory school age so you cannot be fined. I'm not convinced that all LAs understand this. I am quite certain some schools don't.

Why does it have to be so long? I can understand a couple of days eg for a funeral.

Not sure you can be fined at 6th form level.

Posted too soon.
IMO the fine thing is irrelevant.

Year 13 is such an important year though. I don't understand why you would jeopardise his education for something that you don't have to do. DD was in year 13 last year, and this time of year was absolutely critical for her A levels.