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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

... school not authorising absence- WWYD?

140 replies

Llanali · 03/12/2018 16:44

Just had a letter to say the school will not authorise absence for DD (reception class) for the week before half term in February. This is after the school office advised we would get permission as she’s only in reception.

We tried to go away last year before she started school, to see DD grandparent in Aus but I had a second trimester miscarriage so we had to cancel the trip as I wasn’t allowed to fly following haemorrhage and surgery. This grandparent is the only living one she has.

We can’t go over Christmas as my husband cannot get leave. We can’t go over Easter as he can’t get leave and I can’t have holidays over the summer.

Any ideas? What would you do here? I’m really disappointed they wouldn’t grant us 5 days.

School is threatening prosecution if we take her anyway.

OP posts:

user139328237 · 04/12/2018 20:25

I somehow don't think a £60 fine is much of a deterrent for Holly...

RollerJed · 04/12/2018 20:31

I took dd1 out last December for 9 school days, unauthorised and didn't get a fine.

I wouldn't have not gone home for Christmas because the school said no.

I'm sure you won't be prosecuted, they're just trying to scare you and it worked.

Enjoy your holiday to Aus

ASauvignonADay · 04/12/2018 20:43

They won't prosecute. It isn't in the public interest. They will issue a fixed penalty notice. £60 per parent, per child. (I issue PNs at work and have been to court for attendance prosecutions)

MamaVV · 04/12/2018 20:53

Awwlookatmybabyspider

Working class kids aren't allowed holidays. They're only for the upper and middle classes. Who can afford extra thousands of pounds.

While holidays aren’t only for the upper and middle classes, it does piss me off that parents who can afford private school can take their children out without the additional stress and expense of fines / unauthorised absences. My friend is the head teacher at an exclusive Indy school and parents are constantly whipping kids out for skiing trips and winter sunshine in Dubai.

Hoopaloop · 04/12/2018 20:56

I've watched a few absent child court cases in the Magistrates (while waiting for my own, unrelated cases) . Everyone has an excuse but everyone gets fined. The magistrates or judge do attach a bit of sympathy though, where it's due. Most get to pay the local authorities full costs too.

Friendproblems · 04/12/2018 23:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thetigerwhocameto · 04/12/2018 23:40

I think your best bet is to arrange a meeting/phone call with the headteacher and see exactly what is likely to happen/if prosecution means fine.

I know at our school they say it won’t be authorised but they won’t prosecute, or it’s not authorised and they will prosecute if the attendance is below 94%. The ‘prosecution’ 9 times out of ten is a fine

Stripyhoglets1 · 04/12/2018 23:45

Go to see your family - pay the fine. Prosecution has to be regularly missing education and one holiday isn't that. It won't be in the public interest to prosecute you. You will probably get a fine though.

rubyslipper1 · 04/12/2018 23:52

you should have ticked the gypsy / traveller box when you enrolled her in school.
saved yourself the hassel

MrsLJ2014 · 04/12/2018 23:59

Just for clarification, compulsory school age is the term after you turn 5. As your daughter is 5 now, she will be CSA in the spring term when you wish to take her. I would definitely go on the holiday though! And I say that as a teacher!!

Lalliella · 04/12/2018 23:59

Go back to the school and say you want to appeal the decision. I’ve done that and been successful, albeit for a shorter amount of leave. Say that you’ll do some schoolwork with DD whilst you’re away. But don’t ask the teacher for this, it isn’t fair to give them more work. Maybe take some reading books and do a bit of maths. I’m sure DD could take some interesting things back home for show and tell too.

MrsLJ2014 · 05/12/2018 00:04

Jimdandy Sorry, I see you have already clarified csa - missed that when I was checking. Go on your holiday OP!! All the kids in my class do!

CAAKE · 05/12/2018 00:05

We take a week out of school before Christmas every year. The school always send a strongly worded letter saying the absence is not approved but they don't take it any further in reporting us to the county because they know we need to go to see family abroad.

paddythecat · 05/12/2018 00:41

I work in a school and prosecute like everybody else is saying, means they will fine you. £60 per adult, they cannot take you to court or act upon anything unless your daughters attendance is below 75%. Even then, they have bigger fish to fry

oblada · 05/12/2018 07:37

Friendproblem - don't be so bloody rude! Whether or not the CPS is involved the same principles apply, the prosecutor still needs to show it is in the public interest to prosecute. Same point applies.

Do you have evidence of a LA prosecuting for 1 holiday outside of term dates with a good attendance record as a first course of action?

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