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 !

I don’t think he can sit the exams earlier. All the scripts have to be opened on the day, so there’s no chance of the content being leaked.

No point lying, they will find out if it's 2 children. What if they phone you?
Presumably you were aware of fines when booking tickets during term time and should have just included it in the holiday expense.
Look it's fine to take them out, just own it instead of making excuses; they've passed exams, etc. School attendance in UK is mandatory for their age group.

I honestly don’t think it’s a big deal OP. SATS are absolute rubbish in my opinion and a waste of time. 11+ is what is important for most and well done on passing, Kent is very competitive.

Just make sure the older one can catch up on the work missed but no harm, no foul.

My parents did this to me and I lied to everyone. It was fine, didn’t bother me. But I’ve no idea if I could have done it when younger. I’d probably say to the school they needed a break at home - don’t say you went abroad but don’t say they were sick. A middle ground.

Just factually state that they’ll be on holiday from this date to this date and factor in the cost of the fines. If you lie and say they’re sick, you’re likely to be caught out.

Unfortunately Kent say that they can fine for 10 unauthorised absences in 100 days and they don’t have to be consecutive so you could have say taken Monday to Wednesday off one week and then three weeks later taken Thursday and Friday and that would still count. I suspect most LEAs will fine if you’ve missed exams where the dates have been given in advance. The guidance is below:
https://www.kelsi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/61741/Guidance-notes-for-Penalty-Notice-requests-for-Unauthorised-Absence.pdf

This. Dont expect the children to lie so you dont lie.

They will know you are abroad because they will ring you

Yes that is all true. Should just own it for sure . It's a mistake , they can make work up , long term will be fine
Will look like a tit if am outed . Not a good example. Owning it is a good idea !

True. So so many ways to be outed in this case , honesty is the best policy I think . All things considered and all post read , I think I will go with that. Thank u all so much for your help and advice xx

And thank u so much for that link xx

Think about what message you're sending your children. Why should they work for these exams if they won't have the opportunity to sit them? Why should they work at school at all when you show them education isn't valuable? Move the holiday.