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Original poster

Do you think headteacher would grant authorisation for this holiday?

98 replies

Pabberss · 09/08/2019 08:50

My kids range from 8 to 14.

All my family are going away together. Parents, siblings, everyone to celebrate my parents wedding anniversary.

We have NEVER been on holiday before. Never been abroad. I'm a single mum and am on long term illness benefits. The most I've ever been able to do was haven.

My parents have offered to pay for us to come with. We'll they are covering 80%

They have already chosen dates that fit everyone's work timetables.
The high-school kids finish on the Thursday before summer 2020 and we would be leaving on the Tue.so they would miss 3 days.

I'm not really bothered about the missed days as for the last week they just watch films and colour in and have the end of year trips. The kids were bored out of their heads this year. So I feel no guilt.

But my younger kids don't break up till the following Wed. Half day.

So they would be missing 6.5 days of the end of term.

Do you think if I wrote to the head teacher and explained its a huge celebration for my parents, we have never been able to go abroad before, that we are getting our flights and accommodation paid for and this is the only opportunity my kids have had to go on a plane she will grant leave?

Does it count as exceptional?

They have never missed time for a holiday before. Ever.

I'm scared she will say no and we will be fined.

Can they fine their dad too? We are seperated. He would go mad.

Any advice is appreciated.

OP posts:

MyFlabberIsAghast · 09/08/2019 10:30

We went away at the end of the summer term and the boys missed 6 days of school. We applied for leave, spouted lots about how educational the trip would be etc. The head teacher authorised 3 days and we had 3 unauthorised. You get fined for 5 unauthorised absences so we weren't fined. Not sure if it varies from county to county though.

Looneytune253 · 09/08/2019 10:42

I don't think it would be authorised. There needs to be very exceptional circumstances. Some schools won't send you for a fine though if your children have good attendance. I would go anyway and if you think there's a high chance you would be fined just contact your ex and let him know you'll cover the cost

Sparadrap · 09/08/2019 10:43

Our primary school would authorise this. They would see it as beneficial to the child at a time that doesn’t impact their education. I hope yours is reasonable about it x

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InMySpareTime · 09/08/2019 11:25

How long is the trip? If you go out a bit later (say the Friday evening) neither school would fine you. You could take the younger kids out just after afternoon registration, and be at the airport by 2pm.

4yearsnosleep · 09/08/2019 12:12

Go!

I took my daughter out for 3 days at the start of July as it was the first time I'd seen my best friend and her family in 3 years. I emailed the school the day before explaining why. The response I got was that it was unauthorised but they wouldn't be taking further action. I think as long as they have good general attendance then the school don't mind

Her report still says 98.5% attendance because it had been done by then

MamImHere · 09/08/2019 12:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhioOhioOhio · 09/08/2019 12:20

If I was you I'd write a letter making curriculum links. Making it easy for them to approve.

Teaandchocolatecake · 09/08/2019 12:21

I didn’t think schools were legally allowed to authorise a holiday?

Our LA fines for absence over 10 sessions (5 days). £60 per parent per child.

Nesssie · 09/08/2019 12:23

Its a holiday its not exceptional.

Can you afford the fine for 6.5days?

user1486131602 · 09/08/2019 12:24

Having worked in a school office (primary) I can tell you this.
It all depends on the stance of you LSA as to how the fines work.
If your children are in school all the time (generalised statement) and are good students, the head master CAN oblige your request at his will.
If their attendance is patchy, then no. The headmaster can also choose to warn you by letter instead of fining!

You are stuck between a rock and a hard place, if you ask they can tell you no. If you don’t ask you could be fined.

My personal experience:
one headmistress said yes go, they can learn more travelling.
The next headmaster said no! Letters but no fines!
Both my kids were always in school and were good pupils.

The next holiday where mine would miss 5 days at beginning of term , didn’t tell, just rang them on the day to say ours wouldnt be in til the Friday! No reason given or asked for!
No letters or fines!

Comefromaway · 09/08/2019 12:29

If I was you I'd write a letter making curriculum links. Making it easy for them to approve.

Unless it's really specific I wouldn't do this. For example I've been told by school that they would be much more likely to authorise time off for a child who had an aptitude in a particular area and who was known to be wanting to undertake further study in that area for example music or dance and had an opportunity related to that than a family holiday to greece where they might visit historical ruins as an add on. (if the child were a talented historian with known ambitions to apply to classics degrees it would be different)

matahairyy · 09/08/2019 12:43

Don’t. Do. That.

WillowB · 09/08/2019 12:46

Wouldn't be authorised at the school I work at - I would go though!

Please don't call in sick as some posters have suggested.
Kids will be excited and tell all of their friends. Failing that no one is going to believe that all of the kids are ill for 5 days so school will know one way or another. They can ask for a doctors note to explain the absence. I would just fill in the forms and suck up the consequences.

Thistly · 09/08/2019 12:55

Wait until nearer the time before making the application though, because the head will view it differently if it’s June and the kids all have 100% attendance, than if it’s september and the likelihood is that they will drop several days through the winter with illnesses. I can’t see a head granting permission way ahead.

OhioOhioOhio · 09/08/2019 13:04

Why not curriculum links?

ElphabaTheGreen · 09/08/2019 13:10

Because it’s bonkers and straw-clutching which the school would see a mile off, Ohio. It’s a holiday. Just call a spade a spade and take the hit.

matahairyy · 09/08/2019 13:11

I’ve got experience in sentencing school non attending. It will make no difference. The kid is either there. Or not.

I’d bet a tenner it won’t be authorised. Whether you get a fine or not who knows

StCharlotte · 09/08/2019 13:15

We go away in term time regularly with a group of friends, some of whom have school age children (not us). They always take the children out of school and have yet to be fined (which actually I think is wrong (a) as it's nearly every year and (b) these particular children get to go on plenty of other holidays).

I guess they're just lucky with their LEA and hopefully you will be as well OP.

changeitis · 09/08/2019 21:07

Here's an idea

Go and see your head in person. Face to face.

Tell them why and when.

Ask them to authorise 3 days for you.

Then take 3.5 as holiday on their register.

Win. Win.

Just go and be human to your head. And be discreet and tell the head you will be.... no celebratory news on the playground of how to avoid the fine.

Dandelion1993 · 09/08/2019 21:11

I doubt they will. A few people I O ow have had holiday requests for anniversary/wedding celebrations rejected.

My headteacher allowed us to go on a holiday becuase the previous year, my dad had spent over 60% of it in hospital and said we deserved the time to do something as a family again.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 09/08/2019 21:16

I would go but I would not lie and call in sick.

It will never stay a secret between social media and 4 (? I think) DC, friends etc so I would take it on the chin. As PP have said probs no fine- a one off.
Have a great time!!

matahairyy · 09/08/2019 21:22

You’ve no idea how busy headteachers are

Coconut0il · 09/08/2019 21:23

You should definitely go.
I work in a school, children go on holiday all the time, they normally tell us and I have never met anyone within school who says anything apart from have a great time.
I would tell the head, it won't be authorised and just pay the fine if you get one. I believe my LEA fine £60 per child per parent.

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