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Original poster

Emailing school to say child is going on holiday, do I tell them or ask them?!

128 replies

Diddumms · 19/09/2023 09:30

I mean I know I can't really 'ask' them because it's booked but I'm struggling with the wording

I've currently got a waffley email saying

Good morning. Due to the nature of our work (we run a holiday park) school holidays aren't available to us to go abroad, so we have booked to go away next week meaning Sons name won't be in until this date. We apologise for any disruption this may cause and will ensure we do reading and some cultural experiences whilst we are away. Please let me know if you need to discuss this further"

Husband thinks I'm mad and just need to factually say "Sons name won't be in school next week as we are on holiday, he will be back on this date"

He's only in reception so not actually compulsory school age, if that changes things

OP posts:
QforCucumber · 19/09/2023 09:31

You're over thinking it, ask at reception for a holiday form - fill it in, return it.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 19/09/2023 09:32

You don't need to go into it. Ask the school for a copy of the form required to be completed to say you will be taking dc out of school for X dates. Fill it in. Return it.

donkra · 19/09/2023 09:32

Your husband is right. I mean, if they say no are you not gonna go? You aren't asking permission, you're informing them of what's happening. It happens literally every day and the school won't care - unless your DC already has attendance issues or is struggling.

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fishfingersandtoes · 19/09/2023 09:34

As he's reception just tell them he won't be there from X to y dates for a holiday. No need to waffle on about your job.
After reception you can request ( which may be denied) or lie.

MrHopsPortal · 19/09/2023 09:35

I sent an email informing them that the DC would be absent on x days. I just got a reply saying to fill out the relevant form from the office.

Which I then got back with a NO handwritten across it. We obviously went anyway (and got fined as it is automatic at our school) and I filed mentally filed that under dickish responses from the SLT.

dramallamadingdongdo · 19/09/2023 09:36

school holidays aren't available to us to go abroad,

This bit sounds really entitled sorry and you'd come across as right tossers if I received this - you realise most people can't go away in school holidays 🤔 why should you and your family be any different

If you must do it just email and say your child wont be in - adding bollocks like "we'll ensure he does cultural activities" is just laughable - especially if you are going somewhere like Benidorm not a tour of Jerusalem

Original poster
Diddumms · 19/09/2023 09:38

I'm not entitled in the general sense but yes I do feel entitled to take my kids on holiday, I don't want them to miss out because we literally cannot go in the school holidays. Not saying that makes us special, I'd respect any family in the same situation to make the same choice. I feel guilty and awkward about it but I want to make those memories! I will send a different email though, I overthink everything.. thanks!

OP posts:
HowcanIhelp123 · 19/09/2023 09:39

Just fill out the form, will be fine. If he was older I'd say ask what they'd be covering so you could do some work with him on it but not reception!

I went away with my parents, missing 2 weeks of school when I was in Year 8, my parents got a list of pages from the text book that would be covered while we were away for core subjects, did them, came back to find they hadn't even gotten through half of it while I was away and spent the next few weeks bored mindless 😂

Rockbird · 19/09/2023 09:42

We don't care about the waffle and the outcome is out of our hands. For a standard holiday just fill out a form and we'll mark them unauthorised absent. Depending on your LA and their policy you may or may not get a fine. It doesn't make any difference how you phrase it or whether you give us the back story.

DappledThings · 19/09/2023 09:43

They can't give you permission so don't ask for it. All you can do is notify them there will be unauthorised absence and they will mark it down as so.

Original poster
Diddumms · 19/09/2023 09:43

I sent the more simple email and they replied within 5 minutes saying they hope we have a lovely time and no form to fill in. All sorted. I've spent 3 days panicking about this email 😂

Thanks for the replies!

OP posts:
caban · 19/09/2023 09:43

He's not even compulsory school age, so you are just informing them not requesting.

School really don't care about your work or cultural activities.

etherealfae · 19/09/2023 09:58

when i was in first school whenever a child went on holiday during term time they'd take the schools patchwork elephant teddy and take photos with it on its trip away and we had a big wall that had all the photos of its adventures round the world Grin

GG1986 · 19/09/2023 10:30

Is he under 4? If so it's fine. Basic email just saying "Hi, we are going on holiday 23rd until 29th so X will not be in school that week. He will return on the 30th, thanks" don't overthink it, my child is in year 3 now and we have taken her out a few times since reception, just don't go over the 5 days in row or you will get fined after they turn 5 years old.

Mamabear48 · 19/09/2023 10:36

If he’s in reception just email
asking them to send you a holiday form and just put he won’t be in on the dates. I wouldn’t go into it it’s not compulsory in reception

viques · 19/09/2023 10:42

Do please include the phrase “cultural experiences” in your note. School staff are always up for a laugh.

FrogRainMoon · 19/09/2023 10:48

OP I'm a massive overthinker too and I'd have written an email just like your original one! 😂 can you let me know what you did write in the end?
Similar situation as you, DS in reception and will miss a few days before Christmas. I know it wont matter AT ALL but I've no idea how to word it to the school 😂 thank you!

ActDottie · 19/09/2023 10:54

dramallamadingdongdo · 19/09/2023 09:36

school holidays aren't available to us to go abroad,

This bit sounds really entitled sorry and you'd come across as right tossers if I received this - you realise most people can't go away in school holidays 🤔 why should you and your family be any different

If you must do it just email and say your child wont be in - adding bollocks like "we'll ensure he does cultural activities" is just laughable - especially if you are going somewhere like Benidorm not a tour of Jerusalem

Agree with this you sound entitled writing this just say X is away and be in.

AheadOfMyTime · 19/09/2023 10:56

This is joys of home educating, you can please yourself.

ValkyrieAssassin · 19/09/2023 11:07

Oh that's good news OP. Have a wonderful time!!

Shakirasma · 19/09/2023 11:09

Speaking as the person who works in a school office and receives such emails, just put that x will not be in school from A date to B date as they are away on a family holiday. Nothing more in needed, in fact we have much more respect for parents who are upfront about it all, than those who lie, or tie themselves in knots trying to justify it.

The only difference being under compulsory school age makes is that you wont be fined. It will still be recorded as unauthorised though.

Have a lovely time and stop over thinking it. If you child has good punctuality and attendance, we really dont mind.

Flossflower · 19/09/2023 11:12

I do think you are coming across as entitled. They don’t need to know about your holiday abroad. We had a lot of holidays in the UK when our children were young. A lot of holidays that people take their kids out of school for are just in a tourist destination where English is spoken. It is usually the parents who want the hot weather, not the kids who would be perfectly happy running around the countryside in their wellies.

KissyMissy · 19/09/2023 11:13

Glad they were fine about it op

sarah419 · 19/09/2023 11:16

it’s actually compulsory if he’s turned five. if he still hasn’t turned five, it shouldn’t matter much. someone here mentioned lying - unfortunately sometimes it’s the only way. i agree with everyone about avoiding details

colourwheelofortune · 19/09/2023 11:17

Another reason to split school holidays and do away with this ridiculous 6 week nonsense. My kids are not out in fields helping with the harvest!