Can schools issue fines for absence during very hot weather?

[CanTheyFine]

I’m planning to keep my dc off tue/wed/thu due to the heat - can schools actually fine for this ? Or is it only for holidays that they do this ? Or do you have to have at least 10 unauthorised sessions ?

Children have to have missed 10 or more sessions over a rolling 10 week period before fines are issued.

Why would you do that? Just ensure your dcs are dressed in summer uniform, have sunblock, a hat and a bottle of water, and let them attend as normal. Why should they miss out?

Why? I'm sure school will have things in place to make it easier.
Do you think all buisness/hospitals/public transport should shut too?

Slap some suncream on, big bottle of water. Shirt, no blazer/tie. They'll be fine.

Do you think the parents that send their kids in are putting them in danger? If there was any risk schhol would make the call to close.

So 10 unauthorised sessions or any as we’ve had some illness but they were authorised

Wouldn't you just lie about being ill? I'd have thought lots of kids genuinely will have headaches this week.

It’s an unauthorised absence, same as any other.

Why do you think they will be cooler home? Do you have air con?

Makes you wonder how we got through the Summer of 76 🙄

Why?

They can’t cope with the heat it aggravates medical conditions (severe asthma and eczema )

Can you get a medical note if the heat causes issues for their conditions?

Only if you don’t know that the temperatures this week are going to be hotter in a lot of places.

Yes, sorry unauthorised sessions

If they’re off because of a medical issue, then that would usually be an authorised absence and not subject to fines.

If you’re keeping them off just because it’s hot, that’ll likely be an unauthorised absence and subject to fines after a certain amount of time.

Depends a bit on what your head views it as.

Dear me. OP why will they be better able to cope at home?
How will they be able to cope in the workplace in the future when it’s hot?
Yes it’s hot - we’re all hot/unable to sleep/sweaty/headachy/uncomfortable/tired etc. I doubt my employer would be thrilled if I said I wouldn’t be working as the week goes on because of the hot weather.

It’s £60 each for a doctors letter I cant afford that.

I can keep them a lot cooler at home

I wouldnt do it (keep them off) but if thats what you think is best then fair enough.

If you have decided to keep them home then just ring them in sick. Why tell them its because of the heat if you think you might get fined?

i think that is is a bit unfair to keep them off. schools are aware of the heat, last year my grandsons school asked permission from the parents obviously and then had a day when the kids wore old clothes, then had a water pistol fight! very much fun was had kids were cool and the teachers had fun too!
lessons were often taken outside in the shade as well, used to when i was younger

Not sure how your employer has anything to do with OPs kids situation.

In any case, there are jobs that mean they're not likely to need to work in heat like this week and people with health related conditions may have more reason to seek them out than average. They might move to the coolest areas of the country. They might work shifts and only ever be expected in a workplace at the coolest times of day. They might select only air conditioned environments.

How old are they?

Because, as adults, they will be able to manage their own asthma better, they will know when they need to escalate their treatment plans, know how to read their symptoms. As kids my children needed help to manage their severe asthma, as adults they both do it for themselves and hold down responsible job, DS has never missed a day of work with ill health and DD only misses work when she's hospitalised. Teaching staff are great but they don't know the kids as well as their parents do so sometimes, in extreme conditions, children need to be at home to be safe.

Won’t that be same at home?

Just tell the school you're keeping them off because it's too hot. School isn't a prison, you know what's best for your children.

@Seawolvesnot true, they can actually fine you for just one day if they believe there is not a genuine reason for being off, or if you haven’t learned from previous fines. Whilst each LA will have their own policies, the 10 session myth is a guideline at best. I’ve been fined for 3 days for example.

Assuming that the OP wont have 28 other children at home with her, it probably wont be the same. Plus there are showers/baths at home. The option to wear much less if needed.