To take dd out of school when they have said no?

[Whippetwarmer]

I'm going to Glastonbury next week and asked the school if dd could have 3 days off to come with me. They have said no. I got sent a really general letter with a long list of possible reasons as to why the headmaster had made the decision, but I can't see that any of them really apply.

The school recently put a note in the newsletter that they are being watched as there is general poor attendance across the school, so they are really cracking down on anyone having time off. My dd has had the odd day off for illness but her attendance has generally been pretty good.

Tempted to just say bugger it and take her anyway. AIBU?

No mrsjay she has never had unauthorised absence before at that school. Just a few days off sick.

Well she won't be able to go anymore.... You will be required to stick to the rules, like the rest of us

are you going to take her anyway I think parents not just you expect schools to say oh yes go have a lovely time they don't have to do anything

I'm not suggesting you do care morticia!

DD2 had an unauthorised at Easter was told that L EA were not authorising leave It was 1 day I went anyway

And you will be fined

Haven't seen any of the posters who took their kids out after the school said no mention being fined, morticia. It says I may be fined not will be fined.

I think they can fine you but you said she is hardly been off so more than likely they won't

No don't.

I think people confuse "educational" with "academic". Social and human capital is a very important part in getting on in life.

Our school lets parents take their children skiing but doesn't allow the cheap bucket holiday. It's pure snobbery in my book.

I wouldn't take my child to Glastonbury though.

Why bother to keep arguing about this? You are obviously going to ignore everything you are told. Go pack your tent and if your child sees things they shouldn't - then it is utterly your fault. Also don't go whinging to the school if they fall behind in their work.

Whilst I wouldn't personally take my child to a festival (many years since I've been to one, and they weren't terribly child friendly in those days) I would take my child out of school whether authorised or not if I had to.

Took DS3 (8) out of school for one week this year. We had booked 5 days away for family holiday. It was the only time DH could manage to take off between contracts. So it was either go then - or have no kind of family holiday at all. School refused to authorise and we shrugged and took him anyway. We were not fined and no one mentioned his absence.

Whilst the idea of taking DCs away in summer 6 weeks is lovely, it is often not practical for many families round here. We live in rural, tourist area. So 90% of children are either from farming families - and Dad is harvesting. Or parents work in the tourist industry - and will be working 7 days a week through July/Aug. Schools and govt perhaps need to appreciate that school holidays do not always tie in with holidays parents are able to take due to work commitments. A reasonable amount of flexibility is necessary. Schools are able to authorise 10 days per year at their discretion - but most are so petrified of Ofsted picking up on their 'attendance' that they are reluctant to do so.

I would take her.
Its a shame they havent authorised it, we took our kids to cornburry festival the other year and that was authorised.

You may get a fine depends on your la policy. Ours only fines those who take more than five days unauthorised and when they already have a poor attendance record.

The fine is £60.

It's nonsense to say that you will be fined. You might be fined. Plenty of people are, plenty of people aren't. There's just no way of knowing unless your know your LEA's record with this.

The 10 days of holiday is a myth. All schools in my area are tightening up so parents who flagrantly abuse the rules WILL be fined by the LA. Holidays are a luxury, not a necessity and some families can't even afford them in term time these days.

The school can authorise time off for exceptional circumstances at the discretition if the head teacher.

My partner cannot get leave during the school holidays and the primary and the high school have authorised five days off because if this. We provided a letter from dps employer which stated it was the only time dp could get leave.

In your area people may be fined (as I said, you need to know your LEA's stance on this and you obviously know yours). But you can't extrapolate from that that the OP will be fined as she isn't in your LEA (at least, not that we know of!) The most anyone can say is that she MAY be fined.

I know loads of parents who take their dc on hols during term time, despite repeated notes from the school not to do so. As far as I'm aware they were not fined. I think the school needs to be seen not to condone it but probably wouldn't take action in a case like yours where attendance is usually fine.

Schools are always doing activities such as your dd will do at Glasto and labelling them as 'educational' in terms of learning about cultural diversity, team work, creativity etc etc

I think you are right to want to take her and hope you have a great time.