To take dd out of school

[Whatwouldmumdo]

Name changed.
Ok we've had a rubbish Xmas health wise and a number of very stressful events recently. It's taken it's toll on myself dh and dd (11).
We need a break, we really do but funds are right and it's a long time until half term anyway.
There are some great deals if we travel in the next couple of weeks, as in a week away with Travel etc for less than £400. We'd get some sun, some peace and it is just what all three of is need.

Dd is doing very well at school, exceeding all targets set for her. We've taken her out of school (with permission) for a long weekend holiday once before but that was years ago and she's since moved school.

I hear that the new school is quite strict about this.

What exactly can the school do if we take her out without permission?

If we go, I'm not inclined to encourage her to lie and say she was ill so if we did go away we'd be facing their reaction head on.

I know that school is important and a privilege and I'm not taking her missing school lightly. The decision isn't yet made but I do think it would be beneficial to her after such a rough few weeks.

I was indeed pointing out the folly of expecting schools to be above average, as, on average, half of them at any one time will not be.

I presume, JohnSnowKnowsNothing that the LEA/OFSTED put the same pressure on each school, ergo all schools are under pressure to above average.

It's a crude measure, and I suspect it isn't used with any real understanding by a lot of people in the LEA/OFSTED/Government.

Jonsnow I know exactly how you feel!

I suspect it isn't used with any real understanding by a lot of people in the LEA/OFSTED/Government.

Absolutely.

It shows a pitiful lack of understanding of a very basic mathematical principle but, sadly, those with the power to do so choose to ignore that and plough on regardless.

Phaush - I know my primary school maths and I'm not sure you understand what average means either

Phaush is right. OFSTED expect all school to be above average. All teachers know that it is impossible by it's very nature but it's what we have to do.

Phaush is right. OFSTED expect all school to be above average.

They also expect so many Early Years settings (and probably schools) to be outstanding that, if the target were met, outstanding settings wouldn't stand out in the slightest

Logic and common sense are routinely disregarded.

One weeks holiday in January is not going to affect her SATS in May/June in Year 6 and, besides, her Secondary School will CAT test her in the Autumn Term and not take a blind bit of notice of her Primary SATS results.

Explain the situation to the school, they can authorise so many days absence a year without fining and go and have a holiday. Life is too short to worry about this shit.

They said that they believe emotional health is important and that learning how to notice and address situations that might upset emotional health is one of the things that parents have to teach children... The head said that her excellent attendance, punctuality and commitment to homework/class work is factored in to these decisions and they have no concerns.

A head who uses common sense... Which is exactly how it should be. Enjoy your break, OP. I hope it will help you all as much as you expect it to.

The more I read about schools on here the more relieved I am that my children are educated in Australia. I once asked to take dd out of school so we could return home (UK) during UK summer, and it was approved on the spot. I would hate to be under threat of fines for taking my dd's out of school. I know that some parents can't use common sense, but I would not keep them home unless they really needed it & would really resent being dictated to in this way. I think I can make a choice as to what my children need better than anyone else.

Great result op have a lovely holiday

Wow - sounds like your HT is an actual real person, with common sense and evryfink :) Have a lovely time x

I don't want to be pedantic but you are right and wrong there Phaush. There would be average in terms of where the schools are in terms of levels. Then there would be a median level as well. You couldn't have half of the schools being "average" and the rest of them not being - its a sliding scale. I think using "average" is a bit lazy of ofsted - They should be saying, we want all schools to be "good" or "outstanding". Thats the thing with statistics, they are never as straightforward as folk would like them to be - which is why i hate them so much :)

OK, so further to my earlier post, I overheard our secretary showing a letter of request for absence to the Head this morning, asking what response she should send on her behalf, granted or declined. Head took a look and said, "Oh, it's for a wedding, yes of course."
Who ARE the people getting fines then?

I hope you all have a lovely time and feel better soon.

clam I wonder whether it's families who already have issues with attendance? Or who don't ask for permission at all. Not sure.

Glad that there's still a common sense element at play

Looking at the absence codes on my electronic register, I know that those odd days at the start or end of a holiday, or weekends, are unauthorised. But there's one who's on an extended trip around the Far East at the moment (3 weeks off school) who's down as authorised, plus one who went to visit grandparents in South Africa and so on. Weddings, funerals and family events all appear to be granted, and no fines have yet been issued (or passed on to the relevant authority) to any of the unauthorised ones either. I know, because I asked the secretary.
Or is this Head going to get hauled over the coals one day soon?

It's a week FGS! I highly doubt the OP's child will become anxious etc due to being out of school for a week.

YOU know what's best for your family OP - do what you feel is right x

So much depends on the Head, and possibly also on the individual educational welfare officer. I know that our primary school Head is extremely strict, and will virtually never authorise absence. The school also keeps a record of every single minute of absence on every single day. Parents are routinely sent threatening letters. In the past (prior to the new fining regime) I know that other schools I have heard of have been way way more lenient, some even routinely allowing up to 2 weeks holiday in term time per school year, with no questions asked.