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Original poster

term time holiday fine dodge

31 replies

lessthanBeau · 09/07/2015 14:34

A friend of mine didn't bother filling in a holiday request form from school when she took her dc out for TT holiday, upon return the head sent a letter asking them to fill it in respectively, my df has just ignored this and says if she doesn't provide proof that they were on holiday they can't be fined by the lea.
the school only txt her on the first day for one of the childrens absence but not the other, she didn't reply and they didn't call again.
Has anyone done this themselves and not been fined? would we all bu if we did this and avoided the fines? not commenting on right or wrong of TT holidays, if you want to take your kids out you will, that's a different question, just wondering what people think of being able to dodge the fine like this and would you do it?

OP posts:
muminhants1 · 09/07/2015 14:36

I don't think it works. The school will record it as unauthorised absence and therefore the LEA can still fine. It's not a fine for term-time holiday, it's for absence without authorisation in term-time.

ShatnersBassoon · 09/07/2015 14:37

It's still recorded as unauthorised absence, whether she told them she was on holiday or not. She hasn't provided evidence of an absence that can be authorised.

bakingtins · 09/07/2015 14:40

It's still an unauthorised absence, they don't have to prove you went on holiday. The onus is on the parent to provide an explanation allowing the head teacher to authorise the absence ( medical appointment etc) otherwise it will be recorded as unauthorised then it's up to the LEA whether they issue fines.

Original poster
lessthanBeau · 09/07/2015 14:40

is it though? my ex sil kept my dn off for over a month because she couldn't be bothered to take her, the lea or school didn't say a word, nor did she receive any letters or follow ups it wasn't until my DM queried this with the council that anyone noticed she wasn't even at school.(she is 6)

OP posts:
DonkeyOaty · 09/07/2015 14:41

I think she'll fail in this dodge because the wording is about unauthorised absence not holiday iyswim

link

meditrina · 09/07/2015 14:41

It will be counted as unauthorised, because she has not provided any information that would allow it to be authorised.

You can definitely be fined in these circumstances.

And unexplained absences are quite likely to trigger more attention from EWO if there are any further attendance issues.

Teabagbeforemilk · 09/07/2015 14:44

I have taken my kids out of school a couple of times since these rules started. Never been fined anyway.

I only know one couple who were fined, ther kids had pretty poor attendance before going away. My kids always have high attendance, we are lucky they don't get sick very often.

I don't know if this will work though

CrystalHaze · 09/07/2015 14:45

says if she doesn't provide proof that they were on holiday they can't be fined by the lea.

Your friend sounds a bit dim. There is evidence of unauthorized absence, so unless you friend can produce something like a doctor's note to explain the absence she can still be fined. It's not up to the school/LEA to prove that the child was actually on holiday at that time. They know that the child was absent without authorization. The 'proof' of a holiday is moot.

Original poster
lessthanBeau · 09/07/2015 14:46

my friend has previously been fined for her oldest dc, about 2 years ago, so it is a given that unauthorized holidays will be fined in our School, I understand that some schools don't pass on to the lea so don't generate the fines.

OP posts:
Ohanarama · 09/07/2015 14:50

I wouldn't normally say this but I hope your friend gets fined! It's really rude and selfish to just go off like that without letting the school know and then not answering their text. The school could have been concerned that there had been some sort of family emergency. If people are going to take their kids on holiday in term time they might as well have the guts to be honest about it!

Original poster
lessthanBeau · 09/07/2015 14:52

so why aren't children from lax parents who aren't attending school regularly ever fined, you never hear of that even though these are the children its supposed to be helping stay in school. not saying either one is wrong or right, but lea seems to only bother with the parents who are most likely to pay the fine.
how long does it take to get the fine? her holiday was in may, there is no fine as yet! it will be interesting to see what happens.

OP posts:
Original poster
lessthanBeau · 09/07/2015 14:56

ohana, I agree with that in principal, although the teachers all knew they were going on holiday.

OP posts:
Anon4Now2015 · 09/07/2015 15:01

so why aren't children from lax parents who aren't attending school regularly ever fined, you never hear of that even though these are the children its supposed to be helping stay in school.

They are. You don't hear about it because either they don't go to the press or the press aren't interested in the story.

CrystalHaze · 09/07/2015 15:03

so why aren't children from lax parents who aren't attending school regularly ever fined, you never hear of that

'Never hear of that' is not the same as it never happening.

Original poster
lessthanBeau · 09/07/2015 15:58

but you would think the government would use that in its initiatives, like "since we've had fines in place x number of children who had continuous absences are now attending school more regularly" but they don't, they do say "x number of children are no longer taking TT holidays"
but that's irrelevant to the thread, I'll let you all know if the fine appears or not.

OP posts:
tiggytape · 09/07/2015 16:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hippoinamudhole · 09/07/2015 16:13

Schools can refer for fixed penalty for 10 consecutive unauthorised absences (2 per day I.e. 5 days) or 15% unauthorised absences in 6 weeks.

Provided the absence meets one of these criteria the LEA will issue a fixed penalty but it is up to the school to process the paperwork first.

Another option available to schools for 15% absence over 6 weeks is fast track to prosecution. This is where parents (and child depending on their age) meet with the school and AIO to improve attendance. If there is no improvement after 6 weeks a court date is set

Original poster
lessthanBeau · 17/09/2015 17:23

Just wanted to let you all know, my friend was never fined for this Holiday, and has heard nothing more about it. Now we're into the new school year we assume that its been dispensed with. My friend said when she was fined on previous years it was dealt with quickly.

OP posts:
monkeysox · 18/09/2015 22:37

Any absence in last half term.does not count in attendance figures. Shhhhh

mummymeister · 18/09/2015 23:11

I knew that monkeysox. I tell everyone. its because of all the gcse and a level students being off. they cant do accurate absence figures. well of course they could if they could be arsed.

take your kids out of school in the last half term. you wont be fined.

BrendaandEddie · 18/09/2015 23:13

i have had this. if the kid is not in school they are absent

its an absolute offence

BrendaandEddie · 18/09/2015 23:14

in the case I had the kid was bragging on social media
its either / or

the kid is in school or is not without permission

was found guilty

AndNowItsSeven · 18/09/2015 23:20

If a parent says the child is ill they cannot be legal required to provide proof.

StarOnTheTree · 18/09/2015 23:21

Any absence in last half term.does not count in attendance figures. Shhhhh

Is that in primary too or just secondary?

BrendaandEddie · 18/09/2015 23:25

itg wont count in the school ones

the school would still take note of the kid being off
the law is that the parents should ensure attendance

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