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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Teenager's school won't allow holidays, need other explanations for absences

33 replies

sandrascoffee · 04/02/2020 08:23

Hi,

My 16 year old son is in secondary school and we are planning to take a holiday during term time that will result in him missing school for two weeks. We chose these dates as the travel expenses were far lower and the destination would be less busy. It also lined up well with my work.

On my son's school website, it states that absences will be approved due to medical circumstances, a sporting/cultural event or bereavement leave or certain family circumstances but family holidays will not be approved when taken during school. Our family doctor was hestitant to give a medical certificate to my now 18 year old daughter who took a week and a bit off school for genuine medical reasons so I am relucant to go down that route.

I'm stuck with ideas as this is the first time we've taken a family holiday in years and it didn't occur during one of my child's last years of secondary school. If any mums would be able to share some advice that would be greatly appreciated!

OP posts:

SW16 · 04/02/2020 09:15

@sandrascoffee There are lots of posters based in Australia here, start a new thread with the title We’re in Aus, Term time holiday question!
And you will meet lots of the Australian MNers and get the help you need.

Good luck!

Ironoaks · 04/02/2020 08:50

OK, having received the update that you are in Australia: take the holiday whenever you feel it's least disruptive to his education. You said you were reluctant to ask the doctor for a medical note; listen to that instinct.

PineappleDanish · 04/02/2020 08:49

I probably should have realised that this is a UK based forum and I live in Australia where school has just gone back

Original poster

sandrascoffee · 04/02/2020 08:47

Thanks for your feedback. I probably should have realised that this is a UK based forum and I live in Australia where school has just gone back. Guess I've had one too many glasses of Pinot! I would never consider taking my children out of school close to exams and I do appreciate the consideration. To add to that, I had no idea that you could get fined for unapproved abscenses in the UK. I suppose I've learned two things today. Anyways, thank you all again and I'm going to find an Aussie based forum to ask this question on.

OP posts:

LuluBellaBlue · 04/02/2020 08:47

Are you aware if he’s taking GCSE’s this year then he finishes for the summer a month early?

bookwormish · 04/02/2020 08:47

My first Mumsnet biscuit and I've been here for years.

Ironoaks · 04/02/2020 08:46

Most Yr 11s do not attend school after the exams finish so that is an economical holiday slot, you won’t be fined if you go then.

The exam contingency date is 24 June this year, and Y11s are on roll until the end of that week. They could go on holiday after that.

ffswhatnext · 04/02/2020 08:45

Why didn’t you book for after the exams?
It’s still considered term time for flights. Plus a great way to de-stress after the exams. And no permission from school needed.

And what naff reason would you try and fob off the gp to scam a sick note with?

pelirocco123 · 04/02/2020 08:44

They may not allow it , but tbh what can they do if you go ? , you will be fined most likely , but that is about it
Will 2 week away affect his school work or exams?

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 04/02/2020 08:44

Surely this is a windup. Don’t feed the beast.

drivingtofrance · 04/02/2020 08:43

Of course they won't approve it OP.

I don't think this is a real post.

namechangenumber2 · 04/02/2020 08:42

If he's year 11 then he is likely to have a much longer summer than normal? So could you not go away then?

PineappleDanish · 04/02/2020 08:41

No one is that unaware.

Oh they are. DS is 17 in a few weeks and rocketing towards Higher exams in May. The most important exams he'll sit as the grades are used to apply to Uni. One of his classmates departed yesterday for 2 weeks in the US as it's a cheap time of year to travel. His parents just don't care about exams.

Wildorchidz · 04/02/2020 08:40

What does your ds think?

SW16 · 04/02/2020 08:40

The holiday could be at the start of Yr 12 if he will be 16. But that is also a terrible time to miss two weeks.

Or is it post GCSE? Most Yr 11s do not attend school after the exams finish so that is an economical holiday slot, you won’t be fined if you go then.

Ironoaks · 04/02/2020 08:40

First time poster, posting about something which is bound to get a strong reaction...

PineappleDanish · 04/02/2020 08:39

He will have 10 weeks off over the summer once his exams are finished. Why not go then?

because it's cheaper.

Whatever the year the child is in, and whether they're in Scotland or England or anywhere else in the UK, this is THE most crucial time for education. They're either doing GCSE or Nat 5 exams, or starting Higher or A-level courses.

I've taken kids out of school for a few days at the end of term to get better flight prices when they were in primary or the first couple of years of secondary. But further up the school? No way.

GrannyBags · 04/02/2020 08:37

The fact that the OP has not replied just adds to my feeling that this is not real. No one is that unaware.

RedRec · 04/02/2020 08:36

It is ridiculous, and disrupting to their education to take time off school at this age, especially if in Year 11. Two weeks would be crazy.

Ironoaks · 04/02/2020 08:34

I don't believe that anyone in England / Wales / NI would decide to take their son or daughter out of school for a two week holiday in the second half of year 11.

If it's Y12 then still quite unfair on the 16 year old who will then be facing a significant workload to catch up.

Whichever education system, I can't believe you would even consider asking a doctor to write false information.

Sirzy · 04/02/2020 08:33

so you not only want to take a child out in year 11 but also teach them to lie about it anx expect them not to talk with it with their friends?

Gazelda · 04/02/2020 08:32

Why on earth would you take 2 weeks out of school this year? It seems very selfish and thoughtless regrading you're DS being at a crucial point in his education.
And surely you knew the school couldn't authorise it.
If you insist on going ahead with the holiday, be prepared for the consequences (fine and added stress for your DS)

Hercwasonaroll · 04/02/2020 08:31

Year 11????!!!!!!!!

When are you going? He could literally have exams at any time from now. Subjects like drama, photography etc have controlled assessments and exam work now! How stupid are you to take your child out of school for 2 weeks in his GCSE year.

GrannyBags · 04/02/2020 08:31

Is this for real? Why on earth would you book a holiday when you child has exams soon? You must understand the pressure as you say you have an older child.

TreeClimbingCat · 04/02/2020 08:31

You are ridiculous to consider a holiday for a 16 year old who must be sitting GCSEs if he is in secondary school.

He will have 10 weeks off over the summer once his exams are finished. Why not go then?

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