School asking for flight details after unauthorised term-time absence abroad

[PersonalData]

We went abroad mon-thu last week, ds (10) was in school the week before and went back on Friday. We let them know and obviously knew it would be unauthorised. As it was 8 sessions we don’t qualify for a fine. His attendance is usually 100%.

They asked on friday before and after for us to provide proof of the flights and other details for ‘safeguarding’ but he was back in school and clearly fine ?? We declined as this is private personal data. They replied back that we must submit the evidence by the end of tomorrow?

Is this usual ?

How many of those parents give advanced notice of the absence with dates?

And what do you mean 'kick in'

What is going to happen?

If you mean the child would be referred to social services, on the basis of what?

Bearing in mind that non CP referrals need the parents consent.

Why are you reluctant to provide the information?

Information creep should be resisted as a point of principle. It isn't the case of asking 'why don't you want to provide it' more a case of 'why are you asking and what is your entitlement to have it'.

If someone asks you what kind of pants you are wearing, why would it matter to you that they know? Why would you be reluctant to provide the information? It doesn't matter, they'll never see them, what's the problem?

As of September 2026 the updated Keeping Children Safe in Education rules have “upgraded” attendance to a core safeguarding issue rather than just another metric, so yes, schools are required to show they have done everything possible to get proof of where children are if missing from school.

If Ofsted asked what they had done to safeguard your child when he was missing for four days at the start of term, they would be hung out to dry for anything less than what they have asked for.

Erm in the same way a parent rings in and says little Johnny has a cold/flu and wont be in this week. You dont have proof for that either.

Whats happened to parents having any authority here?

Why do the school think you are lying? Id ask why they think you are lying about your whereabouts?

What a strange hill to die on

Not anymore they don’t.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa2a5b1c5796a7a179c665a/Information_sharing_duty_statutory_guidance.pdf

Or the parent could just say she was ill. This is a nonsense. I cant believe people actually think this makes any sense, is logical or in any way reasonable.

Ok, I would have thought flight records were more robust because you could have someone else make purchases on a card to pretend you were somewhere?

We wont take a referral for CHIN/Early Help without the parents consent

CP referrals have never needed consent.

This situation, theoretical though it may be, would not be a CP referral.

If it’s a ‘requirement’ I would be asking for a copy of the legislation which states that this is a requirement for parents of primary school children.

You've taken your child away almost as soon as the school year has started, so they will miss out on key plans shared thought their classes for the rest of the year. You've triumphed that it's just short of "qualifying" for a fine. Youre happy to incur additional workload for teaching staff as they are duty bound to monitor catch up work after absences. But you've declined to provide the school with a really basic piece of information which they require by their own safeguarding procedure. A flat "no". And an "myob" attitude.
You're being difficult because you can.

There is absolutely no chance children’s social work services would investigate someone not giving flight details after taking their kids out of school for a trip to Turkey so it’s a moot point.

Same here, same job. This thread is unbelievable!!

Not really, it is part of the long journey back to common sense, your personal flight details have got fuck all to do with the school, their limit is that they can report too many days off that doesn"t tick whatever their current box is and they can be vigilant for and report signs of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Send them a msg. that you made a mistake. You didn't go on hols. Your child had a bad cold and couldn't go to school. The end.

Id understand if they requested the paperwork before you went away - as a potential safeguarding step. But once your dc is back safe and sound? Seems unnecessary - unless want to have it incase questioned about it.

A 'basic piece of information they require for their own safeguarding procedure'

Well thats on them then isnt it. That they devise a 'safeguarding procedure' that requires information they're not in control of and have no right to

And again with the 'SAFEGUARDING'.

People just love this word.

A CIN referral can be made without consent (technically so can EH) it’s the assessment/plan that would require the consent.

"You've taken your child away almost as soon as the school year has started, so they will miss out on key plans shared thought their classes for the rest of the year."

The teacher or one of their pals could text it to them?

I don’t know what messaging you’ve been getting from your side, but from the school side the message has been clear: as of this September, if there is a lawful and appropriate need to share information, we are expected to do so, and we simply inform parents of the decision. Obviously if there isn’t a lawful and appropriate reason, the referral simply shouldn’t happen.
The parents don’t have to engage in eg Early/Family help, but the referral is not up to them. We also don’t need to consider whether sharing the information is in the “overriding public interest” anymore.

No, they would still be overstepping.

They might not be so willing to authorise future days off though. I’m not sure why they need the info but I would just give it, no skin off my nose and there will be bigger school issues to fight.

He wasnt 'missing from school', he had a planned absence.

Given that there is no proof that can be given for children off sick, as GPs wont give notes (quite rightly) for illness that is a week or so, sometimes even longer, this is completely irrational.

If a child doesnt turn up, disappears, no information from parent, other markers around parents behaviour or observations about the child, thats a different matter.