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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:
YesHonestly · 15/02/2025 16:26

For 18 days you do risk going straight to court.

The standard process is a fine after 10 missed sessions, so 5 school days. Most LA can prosecute as they see fit for an unauthorised extended period of absence. Your children would be missing 36 sessions, so that would definitely fit the criteria!

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 16:27

Thank you @YesHonestly

OP posts:
EmmaMaria · 15/02/2025 16:30

littleluncheon · 15/02/2025 13:06

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

Show quote history

Oddly, I know of people that has happened to. So not silly at all.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
YesHonestly · 15/02/2025 16:30

You say it’s for a family emergency and given your child’s needs, you can’t leave them and go alone. Could you speak to the school and see if they would be willing to authorise the absence due to extenuating circumstances?

DarkForces · 15/02/2025 16:34

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

Why don't you call the school and have a chat. You have very good reason for taking him out and they're best placed to advise.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 15/02/2025 17:07

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

So it’s not for a holiday at all! That makes this thread pretty useless. Why don’t you start another in the education section with a more accurate title?

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:18

@Muchtoomuchtodo what do you mean

OP posts:
MichaelandKirk · 15/02/2025 17:21

Is this a wind up? OP seems very relaxed about all of this. I hope you arent going to expect the teacher to help them catch up or set some work especially for them?

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:22

@MichaelandKirk actually panicking

OP posts:
sailingsunshine · 15/02/2025 17:23

It's not a pre booked holiday, it's a family emergency and the dc can not be left in the uk. It's a different code in the admissions register. You need to prove to the school what the family emergency is.

Re-post with a new title in the education section.

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:24

sailingsunshine · 15/02/2025 17:23

It's not a pre booked holiday, it's a family emergency and the dc can not be left in the uk. It's a different code in the admissions register. You need to prove to the school what the family emergency is.

Re-post with a new title in the education section.

Thank you

OP posts:
sailingsunshine · 15/02/2025 17:27

Post in education along the lines of

What code would the school use in the admissions register if I take my KS1 dc abroad for a family emergency?

Then ask what proof you will need to provide to the school.

DorothyStorm · 15/02/2025 17:46

Muchtoomuchtodo · 15/02/2025 17:07

So it’s not for a holiday at all! That makes this thread pretty useless. Why don’t you start another in the education section with a more accurate title?

Show quote history

I agree. What is the family emergency? A parent in dc’s class said they needed holiday and were worried about a fine. A few questions later and it turned out they were going to their parents home country as one parent had fallen ill, had energency surgery and couldnt be sent home without an adult to look after them. That isnt a holiday.

i also got absence authorised to attend a family event in australia. I filled out the request and put what it was for etc. I obviously had no control over dates

caringcarer · 15/02/2025 17:47

You are being unfair to your DC depriving your DC of education. 18 school days means you intend to be away a month. It is unfair to the DC's teacher because your DC will fall behind the other DC in the class and they will be expected to help your DC to catch up. It is unfair to other DC in your DC's class as they will get less attention because of you, as the teacher tries to help your DC catch up. You should tell your family you can't go during term time because it's unfair to your DC. This is not the first time you've deprived your DC's education while you have taken them out of school during term time so I honestly hope you get a very heavy fine.

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:48

caringcarer · 15/02/2025 17:47

You are being unfair to your DC depriving your DC of education. 18 school days means you intend to be away a month. It is unfair to the DC's teacher because your DC will fall behind the other DC in the class and they will be expected to help your DC to catch up. It is unfair to other DC in your DC's class as they will get less attention because of you, as the teacher tries to help your DC catch up. You should tell your family you can't go during term time because it's unfair to your DC. This is not the first time you've deprived your DC's education while you have taken them out of school during term time so I honestly hope you get a very heavy fine.

@caringcarer i don’t mind paying the fine love

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 15/02/2025 17:48

Due to my mother who lives in Australia being terminally ill, I need to see her to support my sister. Unfortunately thuscwill mean taking DS as due to his SN I can't leave him as he won't cope and no other adult knows how to care for him. I expect to be out if the country for 3 weeks

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:50

@TeenToTwenties currently going through this. My son has autism and my grandmother is at her last stages so I cannot leave my son due to his needs

OP posts:
IchiNiSanShiGo · 15/02/2025 18:00

Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:50

@TeenToTwenties currently going through this. My son has autism and my grandmother is at her last stages so I cannot leave my son due to his needs

I’m sorry I said I thought you were out of your mind earlier, I hadn’t realised it was a family emergency. It’s a hugely different situation than just taking them out for holidays.

Please speak to the school, they really should be able to support you with this.

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 18:02

@IchiNiSanShiGo i absolutely understand and there’s nothing to apologise for.

OP posts:
Bournetilly · 15/02/2025 18:14

Definitely speak to the school and see if it can be authorised. Is it possible to go for a shorter amount of time, if he missed 10 days of school I think you’d be much more likely to get a fine rather than court.

TeenToTwenties · 15/02/2025 18:18

Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:50

@TeenToTwenties currently going through this. My son has autism and my grandmother is at her last stages so I cannot leave my son due to his needs

That's what I meant.
That is the kind of thing you need to say to the school.
It is WAY different from a holiday.

caringcarer · 15/02/2025 18:19

Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 17:48

@caringcarer i don’t mind paying the fine love

Show quote history

You clearly don't mind depriving your DC of their right to education.

TeenToTwenties · 15/02/2025 18:21

caringcarer · 15/02/2025 18:19

You clearly don't mind depriving your DC of their right to education.

Show quote history

Read all the ops posts.

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 18:30

@TeenToTwenties i think I can’t trust anyone to look after my son who has autism

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 15/02/2025 18:32

Mumoftwo367743 · 15/02/2025 18:30

@TeenToTwenties i think I can’t trust anyone to look after my son who has autism

Exactly. So tell the school that.

However, being away from home and out 9f routine will be hard for him, and prevent you from being in the moment with your relative.

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