Question about taking a day off school.

[Snitzelvoncrumb]

I am not in the UK, and have heard a few people mention families getting finned for kids taking a day off school. Does this mean you need a medical certificate every time your child is sick? What if the child has an appointment? Can someone explain it to me. Thanks.

You are only fined if you take your child out for a day other than doctors. Hospital. Sickness etc...

For example if you go on holiday

The fine is £60 per child per parent

But it can be a fine upto £2,500 and a 3 month jail term if your child just doesnt go to school

No, you don't need a certificate. You just ring the school and let them know. Schools are generally absolutely okay about this. They monitor attendance and it gets flagged up if the child is frequently absent. You only get fined for unauthorised absence, eg going on holiday.

You don’t get fined for a day. It’s a week or more.

This isn’t in whole off UK

Thanks.

In my kids schools each child is permitted 10 days holidays. With prior approval from the headteacher.

The fines are at the Head Teachers discretion, you don’t automatically get fined if you take your children out of school. It can just be marked down as unauthorised absence.