School fine for going on holiday question

[cloudbo]

Me and my ds have been invited to visit my sister. Sister lives far away, and is always busy so this is very rare for her to invite us. I automatically agreed as it would be a free holiday and I couldn't afford a holiday with ds any other way.
Then I realized ds would need 2 days off school to do this.

Would I get fined for this? Ds may mention it but doesn't know the exact dates. I could say he's off ill but that's not really the right thing to do is it.

So just wondering could I get fined for having ds off school for 2 days?

Unlikely - usually looking at fines for longer periods of absence - though schools are definitely being encouraged to be tight on it. Just factor the fine into the cost?

Our LEA don't usually start fining until 10 days unauthorised absences so 2 days should be ok.

Maybe, maybe not but it'll be a lot cheaper than the cost of a holiday.

Just tell them your child is sick. Fining parents is just another scam to get money out of people. If they really cared about children missing out on their education they would pay the fines into a fund & use the money to pay for your child to make up the work with a tutor. If they keep the money it is a moneymaking scheme, pure & simple.

Problem is we cannot afford £120 fine and it would probably escalate if we didn't pay it quickly enough.

How would the school know he was off for a holiday?

You could say he was ill, but getting a young child to remember that and stick to the story is very hard. Kids are the worst for bounding back into school after a break, sometimes complete with suntan, fully recovered from their 'illness' with none of that pale, slightly 'getting over it' look, and proudly chatting to their pals about everything they did. I know a few who have been caught out that way, but then you may be fine. Really depends on how strict your school is.

If you or your child told them (or someone else I guess) - trouble is children do have a tendency to blab.

2 days you wouldn't get a fine, it would be unauthorised but you wouldn't get a fine, fine vary with area but start between 3 to 5 days usually.

If you are really worried just tell the school he is ill.

It will be unauthorised, kids have 6 weeks holidays coming up, why not ask your sister if you can go then

Our LA fine after 3 days. Check what the policy is in your area, but I suspect you’ll be fine.

Honestly it’s two days - I can’t believe they’d fine you over this! How old is your son? Unless he’s doing he’s GCSEs or something I think two days is fine and I’d be mad if they kicked up a fuss over two days. I think they’ve got bigger stuff to worry about frankly! X

It's changed recently, no longer up to individual LEAs and now fixed in legislation in order to raise attendance nationally.

How old is he?

How long after he comes back from the holiday until he goes to school again?

I've just been into school to request a holiday they said they go down as unauthorised but don't fine. I think it depends on the schools policy, and the child's attendance

Totally depends on the school. Ask them

We don't fine unless it's 10 sessions or more (5 full days). A common way to get around this is bring them in for Monday morning registration so they get there mark, then collect shortly after registration to catch flights etc. Tbf I just paid the fine, it was only £60 a child.

I wouldn't think so. @cloudbo Is the two days around the school holidays? If so I'd say its a non issue and by the time lo is back at school will have forgotten.

What's their attendance usually like? If it's high I'd risk it. Schools have alot on their plate and don't usually go for 'one off' situations
It's usually reserved for repeated unauthorised absences

If it means missing the last two days of term then I would throw a sickie - if he is young enough he won't remember that he missed time off school by next academic year. Go and have a lovely time.