OMG. Are these 'penalty notices' for taking children out of school in term time legally enforceable?

[Utterlyastoundedmum]

Not interested in having a debate about whether it is 'right' to take a child out of schol, in term time for holidays etc. just wanting to know whether they can be enforced from a legal perspective.

I have just read the latest school newsletter and am to be honest, very annoyed indeed to find that as of September the school are changing its policy on authorising absences. Until now it's always been on a case by case basis but now they are saying no absence will be authorised whatsoever no matter what, except for one day for weddings ( with proof!)

The penalty is £60 or £120.

Not very fair on any parents such as myself who booked a holiday for a week in October as we really CANNOT get away in half term this year.

I will not be paying unless this is legally enforcible!!

So what exactly are the "exceptional" circumstances? Des anybody know?

Planning to go in October. Both sets of grandparents abroad and a religious occasion falls during that time. Want DD to experience that bit of her culture.

I really hope that there is some 'exceptional' discretion given.

I am against term time holidays and have passed up opportunities in the past but this year we may be taking one.

My mum is dying of cancer. It is basically her dying wish to go on a family holiday with her children and grandchildren. She is a very family orientated person and hands on fantastic grandparent and she is dying far too young and will miss them growing up.

Over summer she is having chemo and won't be able to go. If we wait until half term she may be too ill to go.

It will only be UK. She is too ill to fly. It is not about the money. They can fine me whatever they want I will still do this for my mum.

IOnlyNameChangeInACrisis Not entirely sure what your problem is

And as for your tabloid journalist suggestion, do get a grip.

Mamadoc

Sorry about your mum . Go make those memories there mean so much in the future

Attendance fines have been in place for a long time. We warn if child dips below 92% and then refer to legal team. Below 80% is likely to be fined, unless there is a good medical reason. Also do fixed penalty notices if excluded child is seen out during school hours. This has happened for years. It is only now that holidays as unauthorised absence have hit the headlines that people are taking notice.

Where does the £60 per day come from, btw? Our standard fixed penalty is £60. We don't see the money.

Exceptional circs - we have a child with a terminally ill sibling. Charity is funding a holiday. Of course we are agreeing.

www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/behaviour/attendance/a00223868/regulations-amendments

don't think I haven't noticed that you chose to quote the ONE outraged sentence in my comment, and completely ignored all the positioning statement

Well, you are imagining things because I didn't ignore it. The positioning is irrelevant - you were apparently seething that that the education dept decides whether you can take your child out. I merely pointed out that this has always been the case, even back in the dark ages when I was at primary school you needed to ask permission. All the "positioning" in the world doesn't change this.

Dd has just got back is morning from Paris, she has been both theme parks and all the usual Paris sites. It was a term time holiday, with school. If we had taken her we would have been fined.

All the other kids in school have been watching DVDs and going on day trips to theme parks.

Our holidays for the last five years have been in the UK, next year we are going to have two weeks at Whit, one week holiday time one week term time.

I've never known any of my dc do very much during the last few weeks if term anyway.
Secondary school does activity week - lots if very expensive trips or free ones that make them feel inadequate.
Primary school have literally done sod all for weeks.
Don't see why we can have a holiday then tbh.

Can't not can.

Kiwi mama

Sorry, pressed post. Regard the mandatory INSET days and having to spend time with your colleagues, I will correct you there. There are not only 5 days per year where we are.
My friend is a deputy head of and ofsted rated outstanding primary school in my area.
They recently had a doss day 'teacher training day' and closed the whole school (4-11) due to ONE year coming back from a week long school trip on the Sunday and they thought it unfair for that year to go to school on the Monday so they closed the school!
How the hell is that a day spent with your colleagues?

This is all very one way. I think we should fine the school in cases like this and when they close for not reason!
The 2 weeks they have here at the moment I think is fair and they should leave it alone.

Oh dear, that is awful.

My thought about orders of service is that they would tick a box for providing proof for a school who would previously have been quite happy to take your word for it.

Silver I can understand at exam time yes need proof bit must be hard

I'm wondering can I fine the LEA since my son been of school and will be to least end of October

The school was at would not have him back due to epilepsy training needed ( right like I got any ) and no one doing as he leaving anyway so meant him home
He has no place for September yet either so I'm going pmsl if anyone try's fine me

I briefly worked in an exams office in a sixth form college. One parent came in asking to have her daughter's A Level exams changed because they'd already booked their holiday to Portugal. Daughter was mortified; mother couldn't see any reason preventing us from granting her request.

I was honest with dd school did not try say educational as its not and not planning anything educational its all about fun

But it has been a very rough couple years ( I had accident now paraplegic my nan death due to a fall . Dd herself was very poorly and ds3 has sn and dd does a lot as a young carer .

Luckily head just said bring back pictures and go enjoy

Horry

Ekkkk I had ds2 dates written in but was no way I took him out in years 9-11 though saying that . While lot of sixth form going on jolly to NYC dojng tourist stuff and shows and shopping ( how earth they say that's educational ) . Ds2 not his thing so were going to Russia next year at same time

Be interesting If they refuse that

It's bonkers though. Having two weeks off (10 days) and using up a few days between a double INSET and the weekend are completely different.
Their may be good reasons for both but the lost learning opportunities are totally different.
Same as the days before Christmas/Summer break ups when pupils do virtually no academic learning.

TheHumanCatapult, you don't think visiting New York is educational?

Dd is being a bridesmaid in feb. it's for dh sister and its a Friday 100 miles away.
We have literally no choice but to lie as I'm not sure they will allow her the time off.
Dh made the point that a wedding is part if our culture so they should really allow that time off but I can't be bothered with the hassle.

No choice but to lie?

Ask permission. If not granted, go anyway. They aren't going to come and fetch her from you on Friday morning to make sure she goes in...

I went to NY for first time two years ago, wow, I found it to be hugely educational!

Ledkr, just get your head around the fact you will be fined but pay the fine and go.

You won't be the only one, lots of parents will be doing it - we have to.