Taking KS2 and year 9 DS out of school during exams

[Butterfingers1977]

Help ! I have saved and saved for three years and finally had just enough money to take my boys abroad for a holiday ( an all inclusive break ) for 1 week . We haven't been on holiday as a family for 7 years . I booked in term time to avoid the higher prices - saving 40% ! I planned to ask the schools for unauthorised absence. Both children are absolutely fine academically .
BUT i have just found out that the 11 year old would miss the last day ie one paper of the SATS. ( he has already sat and passed his Kent test this year if that is relevant) and the eldest is top set everything at grammar already - but will miss the end of year exams.
WWYD ? I am torn between being honest , taking the fines and the inevitable backlash or lying and saying they are ill just because we have been through a lot these last 4 years and we really need this more than arbitrary tests.
I just don't know what to do . I booked it but genuinely did not cross my mind about testing . Help !

Next time check first but you've booked it now so can't unbook in presumably.
Schools will base their grades on previous papers and predicted grades so as long as you don't kick up a fuss if these are different to what they/you expected then i think its OK. Well done for saving

Thank you so much for your reply - I appreciate it x I just feel so silly I didn't check first - and or course it's stupid expensive to move the holiday too :( thank you for taking time to reply xx

I have taken my DC out of school for holidays, usually an an odd day here and there and once a week by accident ( messed up dates) but I wouldnt do it at the times you are planning.
I dont care about fines and was never fined in any case but I wouldnt let them miss exams

I don't think you will get away with saying the 11yo is ill. There is a window where an ill child can still take papers they have missed, so the school will want them to do the Friday's paper the next week. I'd just tell them the truth tbh.

What’s the Kent test, 11+? If it’s 11+ I wouldn’t worry about SATS, we live in Grammar area and no parent cares about any test other than 11+.

Take them.but don't lie.

Ye apologies the Kent test is the 11 + . The SATS as I understand it are important to the funding and ranking of the school . Would be happy for him to sit them earlier - he isn't fazed by exams. it's an honest mistake . The elder of the two is just end of year internal exams so possibly less important overall maybe ? I would love to be completely honest with both schools but of course worst case scenario is four fines ( one per child per parent ) so I would have to find that money plus knowing o have disrupted their education . I am not in the habit of being dishonest in life !

Exactly . And take the fines . Typical that everyone seems to take kids out and to hell with the fines. It's just typical of me to cock this up .

It’ll make no difference to your ds but our school is sats mad and would be really annoyed about the timing

I understand -not too fussed about their education at this point but yes the school.are very very sats focussed. That is partly why I am posting- I have just read the letter from the youngest's school about the SATS exams. It is heavy into them , which , as a primary in a deprived area I understand how important they are now. But now I have made the mistake I suppose it is whether to be honest or not and what sort of example I am setting to the children if I lie.

I am torn between being honest , taking the fines and the inevitable backlash or lying and saying they are ill

If you lie, your children will have to lie too.
Is that something you want to ask them to do?

When are you leaving? The last test for ks2 sats is Thursday 16th May. Not the Friday. I mean - I’m assuming you have the dates but just in case! It’s also an hour long maths paper so is there any wiggle room to leave at break for example if you are going on the Thursday?
Without completing the test and having done the other papers on Wednesday your child is likely to receive a score way lower than they’d normally get - they should still get a scaled score (assuming they’re usually pretty good) and this is then used by school to calculate progress - so annoying for them but not much they/you can do. The only other thing to mention is that sometimes secondary school use SATS results to stream and obvs your child would be in a lower stream potentially than one if they’d been able to do all maths papers. It might not be the case where you are but something to bear in mind and ensure you follow up on if so.

Don’t lie

Deleted - I thought you might be able to get a variation on timetable but the STA won’t grant one for family holidays.

Will your DS mind missing the SATS paper?

Don't lie.

No I absolutely don't. But I AM very open and honest with them - I would probably discuss my decision with them and why . In answer to @crumblingschools They are bright boys and the youngest especially is very very bored with how sats-centric the last two terms have been . He especially does not remember the last time he had a holiday and will be super super excited and not at all fussed about missing the last one. @Margaritawithlime thank you what a great reply thank you - yes it's leaving very early doors on the Thursday 16th - and thank you and good point re the repercussions for setting in senior school . So much to think about ....but I do get the PP simple answer - don't lie. I get it and appreciate your opinions very much x

If you're only going for 1 week, Thursday to Thursday, then you won't be fined anyway. It has to be 5 consecutive days in one week, unless it's either side of a school holiday. If they're back in school Friday 24th then you won't be fined.

Don't lie, it'll just cause unnecessary stress to everyone when it's meant to be happy and exciting! The exam thing is annoying though.

Honestly, if your kids are missing school time, better miss exams rather than lessons. The end of year exams can be done when you get back. Just offer to invigilate him doing them at home in the evenings or weekends

@PurpleJustice unfortunately to get the cheapest deal I could I went for the overnight flight :( so I don't think even the best will in the world I could get them straight off the plane , 2 hours drive and straight into school :( I suppose I could suggest it in my grovelling email to the schools though . And u make a great point that I want to come clean as it seems the right thing to do and the worry is spoiling the excitement! Xx

Ooh I could absolutely include this in my grovelling email ....great idea 💡

I would lie. And ask my DC to lie too. It’s a mistake, it’s your first holiday in forever and your DC will understand your reasoning too.

As an aside, I have many times taken kids direct from airport to school - primary and secondary. We’ve done it to maximise holiday without missing school, but if it works to avoid a fine too, happy days!

You don’t need to grovel - or lie.

kids always come back and tell us they’ve been on holiday - you’ll just look like an idiots

Just be factual. We’ve booked fans holiday and Jane and Bob won’t be in school.

Don’t lie, it’ll come back to bite you.

SATS don’t affect school funding so don’t worry about that.

The school will have the paper so you could offer for him to do it early (if that’s allowed)

It is what it is - have fun n

Could you off roll your yr6 kid and homeschool for the remainder of the term? Then there is no fine? Otherwise suck up the fine for both kids, still cheaper than going at peak time.
Enjoy a much needed holiday.