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Original poster

Term time holiday

82 replies

Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 12:15

Has anyone ever taken their child for 18 days for a holiday during school term time? What was the outcome?

OP posts:
littleluncheon · 15/02/2025 13:06

Muchtoomuchtodo · 15/02/2025 12:57

I think you’re taking the piss! What’s the reason for such a long absence and why can’t it be done during the summer holiday?

I wouldn’t be surprised if school off roll them and offer places to others if they have a waiting list. The policy on that depends on where you live.

Schools can't off roll a child for going on holiday, don't be silly.

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 13:07

@littleluncheon thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 13:08

@Lisbeth50 excluding girl

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General education
InsegnanteScozzese · 15/02/2025 13:08

Two and a half weeks isn't 18 school days? Either way I think it's too long. That's a huge chunk of teaching time.

Bournetilly · 15/02/2025 13:10

In my LA you would be taken to court. You will definitely get a fine but possibly court depending on your LA. I wouldn’t risk it.

Bluevelvetsofa · 15/02/2025 13:31

18 school days is more than 3 weeks, so you might find that your children no longer have a place at the school on your return. Two and a half weeks isn’t quite the same thing.

Although the rules changed in August last year, I think you may be in difficulties because you were fined in April 2024. If you went for a similar time, your children are missing significant school time.

Martyjake · 15/02/2025 13:42

littleluncheon · 15/02/2025 13:06

Schools can't off roll a child for going on holiday, don't be silly.

Show quote history

Once a child has been off for 20 school days they can be off rolled. It doesn't matter what the reason is. You then have to reapply to the local authority and hope you can get back into the school you might end up with one child at one school and one at another. I would be thinking is a holiday worth potentially losing their place at a school?

discdiscsnap · 15/02/2025 13:51

We did 4 days )eight sessions) no fine.

telephonelady · 15/02/2025 14:30

What's your reason for such along absence? It seems really excessive.

Parlezz · 15/02/2025 14:34

The outcome will be that they'll miss out on what they're entitled to, while everyone else they'll ever be compared to for milestones is receiving it, and end up behind.

You won't know exactly what is missed, so can't really mitigate it. You'd have to ask someone else to go above and beyond to support them.

MrsDThaskala · 15/02/2025 14:53

I'd like op to explain why. Going to Australia to see family? Or an extended holiday? This sparks my safeguarding sensors. Will you be telling the school the truth?

onwards2025 · 15/02/2025 15:02

Lots of mis-advice on this post....

OP read the actual policy and supporting documents for your local authority on their website.

You will be over the 10 sessions absence so it's definitely at least a fine. My interpretation of the new framework is that it's a change of law and wipes out anything before August 2024 as that was a different setup. So in 3 year period it's 1st fine, 2nd fine, court. Even if they did include your April fine then the new framework provides for a 2nd offence to be fined, but the fine is at a higher sum.

But if 18 school days that is a long time and given you did it last year too you may find you get put in absence supervision/plan etc too, and get a harder time for any odd days your children miss at school for being ill etc

mindutopia · 15/02/2025 15:02

I took mine to the US for 2 weeks in term time. It was for a once in a lifetime sort of event for me (think something along the lines of attending the Grammy’s because I was winning a Grammy - though I definitely don’t have a Grammy 😂), plus to visit family and family sites (my dc and I are both dual nationals).

The school considered an unauthorised absence but with extenuating circumstances, meaning they didn’t do anything about it, pretty much gave us their blessing, and we were not fined.

LadyPenelope68 · 15/02/2025 15:03

Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 12:47

So will I likely get a fine or go to court?

Depends on your Local Authority. Some are going straight to Court for lengthier absences in one period like your suggesting

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 15:08

@LadyPenelope68 thank you

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Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 15:12

@mindutopia when did you go to the US?

OP posts:
Cyclingmummy1 · 15/02/2025 15:14

Summer 1 is 19 school days in our school this year. You'd be missing the entire half term!

sailingsunshine · 15/02/2025 15:17

@mindutopia , the guidance changed in August 2024, it's very difficult to take a dc on holiday in term time and not face at least a fine.

Invisablepanic · 15/02/2025 15:18

I'm not against taking children out for tt holidays but over two weeks is quite excessive. Is there a particular reason? Can you plan it so at least half if the holiday falls out of term?

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 15:22

I don’t mind paying the fine, I’m afraid of going court.

OP posts:
DarkForces · 15/02/2025 15:24

Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 12:46

@madameimadam this will be my first offence

For a first offence you're certainly going all in!

IchiNiSanShiGo · 15/02/2025 15:37

The gov.uk website says local authorities can issue fines, but they can also skip that and prosecute you if they see fit. So you could be fined, or they could prosecute you. If they prosecute, you could be fined £2500, you could be sent to jail for 3 months.

Given that there’s no way to guarantee you will only get a fine, I can’t see why you would risk taking them out of school for so long? Where will they live if you go to prison?

You also need to seriously consider the impact on your children of missing so much school - they’re already disadvantaged with being part of the lockdown cohort, they’re going to need so much support.

I think you’re out of your mind personally.

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 15:39

@IchiNiSanShiGo so I could definitely go to prison?

OP posts:
DarkForces · 15/02/2025 16:16

No one can guarantee that you won't be sentenced harshly, however unlikely it is. Won't it ruin your time away worrying about it?

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 16:19

So true @DarkForces I have a child with autism and it’s a family emergency and I can’t leave him with anyone because I’m the only one that knows and tenders to his needs

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