Compulsory School Age Confusion AIBU

[minnierose3]

Hi, DD is not 5 until next July so even though she is in reception I was under the impression she was not compulsory school age until next September. I have requested 2 days holiday as we travel to Wales to visit family, I was a little surprised to have this request denied and have just received a formal letter talking about fines, explaining the law on absences during term term and that UNAUTHORISED (in capital letters!!) absence are very harmful to my child's education. New to all this school stuff but I assumed with her not being compulsory school age this wouldn't be an issue. Will I get a fine? Can I get a fine?

She's of 'compulsory' age when she's five so July not September.
Also, it may be a standard reply.
I'd check with school.

Standard reply, they won't authorise holidays.
You won't get fined though.

Compulsory school age means she doesn’t need to be in education (home or school) but if you chose to send her to school you can’t pick and chose the rules you follow. Teachers don’t have time to be catching children up every other week after holidays.

Compulsory school age is the term after they're 5 Little.

I thought it was the first day of the first term after the fifth birthday.

I thought it was the September following her 5th birthday. How would you follow it up? I do feel like id like some clarity but don't want to come across like a moaning parent - she's only been there a week!!

You have chosen to send her to school before compulsory school age therefore you’re expected by the school to follow their rules regarding absence and they are not obliged to authorise holidays. However I don’t think you can be fined, but I’m not 100% sure.

@georgiethegorgeousgoat, that's a fair comment,

You won't be fined

You won't be fined, but they won't authorise holidays during term time. Overall Attendance rates are taken into account during ofstead, so they need pupils to be there as much as possible

Thanks, I really didn't think this was going to be an issue and wouldn't have planned a trip like if she was older/compulsory school age. The very formal tone of the letter just surprised me I think....

They may try and fine you and look a bit daft when you point out how old your child is.

Most authorities won't fine for less than 4 days unauthorised absence regardless of age.

Compulsory school age relates to starting school, I believe.

Once your child has started school then you are subject to the same attendance rules as other children, regardless of age.

I doubt you'd be fined, but I also doubt they will authorise it and you don't want to rack up too many unauthorised absences over the year.

I had exactly the same issue 4 years ago when DD was in reception (and not turning 5 until the August after she started.) We wanted an extra week at half term.

I got a similar letter from the head, so I referred her to the attached Department of Education document which clearly states that fines are only in relation to children of compulsory school age.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/parental-responsibility-measures-for-behaviour-and-attendance

Hi @sidge ive just spoken to my friend who is a longtime teacher and mum of 4 and she said exactly the same thing 😕 oh dear I was planning a July holiday too "while we still can" 😓😓

Compulsory school age is defined as:

A child reaches compulsory school age on or after their fifth birthday. If they turn 5 between 1 January and 31 March they are of compulsory school age on 31 March; if they turn 5 between 1 April and 31 August they are of compulsory school age on 31 August. If they turn 5 between 1 September and 31 December, then they are of compulsory school age on 31st December.

@jesuispriest that's amazing!! Thank you! But just wondered if there's a more up to date version? My friend seemed to be saying it's now the school that issues fines?? Ahh I'm so confused

Compulsory school age is from term after they turn 5.
The school has a code “x” they can make for children absent who are below compulsory school age.
Our daughter is also July and last year she went 4 days all through reception and we still had 100% attendance as the part time was agreed with school. The “x” does not get counted for schools attendance stats.

You're fine, carry on.

That's the most up to date version @minnierose3. Enjoy the break. Our DD is fine for having a extra week off when she was 4. No lasting damage

Oh thanks @bababing1 🙂

😂😂😂 @jesuisprest - do you think I should say something to the HT or just leave it? Xx

I think it's a bit of a confusing area; CSA refers to the age at which a child MUST be provided with an education, either at a school or elsewhere.

So you could choose for your child to start at the school next September when she is 5 at the latest, but as you have chosen to send her now (as is your right) then you are bound by the rules and attendance regulations of that school. Most schools have something in their paperwork somewhere equivalent to a home-school agreement, where you agree to send her as expected.

You absolutely can take her.

I sent my dd to school part time until she reached CSA in year 1. They can mark absence code x (not required to attend).

Children below CSA shouldn't be counted in the school's attendance figures.

It's a standard reply, OP.