Fines for unauthorised absences?

[indiesearcher]

Before I go booking a much needed October holiday, can I ask if anyone has experience of fines for unauthorised school absence?

Is it one fine, per student, per day? Is it one fine, per period of absence? Just trying to assess how much it's going to cost me to take them out a few days early!

Thanks!

It varies from lea to lea I think. How long are you taking them out for? If it’s under a week it probably won’t even be an issue.

I recently took both mine out for 7.5 school days. It was unauthorised but they also (2 separate schools) both said they wouldn’t be referring it on to the lea unless there was further unauthorised absence so we didn’t get fined at all.

Thanks. I think it might run to 5 days maximum - the week before October half term.

The kids generally have excellent attendance. Is it true then that it's at the Head's discretion?

Look at your LEA website they usually provide a guide as to when schools should refer. Our is after 10 sessions (there are 2 sessions per day AM and PM so it’s after a week essentially).

It is the head that can decide what they authorise, though obviously they will most likely follow the guidance set by their LEA or academy etc.

We're taking ds out for 8 days for a holiday. Not ideal but so need a break after a really rough 6 months. Was feeling okay about it but now he's got Covid so is off all week, which isn't going to help!

I’ll likely be taking DD out of school for 5 days in October too. I’m an assistant headteacher - I’ll get two weeks but she gets one. Holiday is half the price for my second week. I checked with the attendance officer at my school and she said it’s just one fine, if they decide to. We’ve had people with significant fines (and court action) at our school but it’s for a lot longer absence than a week.

In our area it's a fine for each parent for each child. Set amount for anything over 5 days per period of absence

Watching with interest....
I'm considering doing this for a day or maximum two over May break....

I'm so god fearing I've never done it before 😂

However we really need a break and the price difference is just astonishing!

I think anyone thinking of having an unauthorised leave for a week or more should research the situation in their local area. Some local authorities rarely take court action others dish out fines and take action more readily. It’s a bit of a lottery.

Honestly I think the whole attendance situation is ridiculous…..families should be allowed a week off provided it avoids any test periods etc.