Will we get fined?

[whiteboardmadenss]

This relates to school absence. Taking them out for two days in term time.

Whilst I realise I may get some replies about the rights or wrongs, that’s not what I’m asking about. We’ve a number of valid family reasons to be doing it when we do it, none of which will be seen as acceptable by the school or LEA. (We’ve never done it before despite having two older ones who have since finished school and likely never do it again.)

Two kids, aged 11 (Y 7) and aged 13 (Y9).

Looking to take them out later this month for two consecutive days.

Will we get fined? (Kids live with both parents.)

School is in Warwickshire (part of a multi trust academy if that’s relevant).

We live in another local authority that is near by (SMBC).

Their attendance is usually excellent. 11 yr old on 100% 13 year old on 98% (due to illness last term).

I’m confused with fines and when issued etc. I thought it was for 10 absences (2 marks per day so in effect 5 days).But I’ve seen some people suggest they’ve had fines for shorter time frames.

As I said it’s for two days, so will be four marks.

Appreciate any insight.

They have good attendance so I wouldn’t worry about it.

I work in a Warwickshire school and we wouldn’t. As far as I’m aware, Warwickshire’s approach to school attendance is all about supporting parents to get children into school rather than penalising. Their attendance is so good that I don’t think this would raise a concern at all

Our school marks a day as unauthorised absence, and it seems fines only happen if someone takes their child out for a full week.

We were told that as a rule a fine is considered after 10 unauthorised sessions (5 days) within 10 school weeks, which can span different terms.

No you should be OK, it's 10 absences (5 days) over 10 weeks that is classed as persistent absence, so unless you do another 6 sessions off in the next 10 weeks you should be alright. In theory they can also fine for any unauthorised absence but i dont think they do. We are in that LA and have had the odd day or two, and due to delayed flights last year we've had a whole week before (long story) and no issues.

The rule of thumb is 10 sessions, but the reality is they can fine for even a day - it’s at the LA discretion. I take my kids out every year, usually end of July so they miss 2/3 days. The council said they could fine me as I’m “not learning” from previous “mistakes” (fined twice previously before new rules came in). So, I just call them in sick now. Never had a welfare check either and it’s always the same days, every year.

In theory no fine as it does not breach the 10 session rule. 1 session a half day so 1 whole day is counted as 2 sessions but it depends on your local authority they still might do it even after a couple of days. Who knows

Never had a fine for 2 days in secondary and we have a weekend away term time every year (2 days off school). Only a fine for missing 7 days for a summer holiday from secondary.

No fines at all from primary for a week away which was nice.

Any child doing well at school with good attendance (ours miss 1 or 2 days for illness a year) will never have a problem missing a few days or week.

Fingers crossed some changes are coming in soon and they sort the real issue of supporting persistantly absent children and the issues behind that.

I would expect this will be fine as they have good attendance.

I have taken mine out for things like attending a conference or event and it has been fine. Even a day off because she was shattered after going to a gig! What I would not do is lie, it isn't fair on the child to have to go along with it.

It depends on school and council policy but if they are off for no valid like illness, hospital appointment etc chances are you will get fined.