To ask how does unauthorised absence work?

[PaperWhiteDaisy]

My DC has recently started school (reception). I’m planning to take some holiday out of term time (after they have turned age 5). Having read the school policies, it will be unauthorised absence, as they say they never approve holiday requests.

In that case, do you just email the school office on the first day and advise that DC will be away for 2 weeks? Did you receive the fine by post? The council website says £60/120 per parent, so I assume maybe it’s £60 per parent per week of absence?

My DH thinks we should tell the school in advance, but I’m not sure they need to know if it isn’t going to be approved, so is there any point getting a rejection in advance and then ignoring it?

Personally I would advise now that the children are going to be absent then the school can do what they wish regards to authorising it or not. I think it’s usually £60 per child per parent for the entire period but you don’t always get fined... it’s luck of the draw in that respect.
Enjoy your holiday! These times are precious x

Surely it’s common courtesy to let them know your child will be absent for two weeks even if it’s not with their approval?

Sorry OP misread your post.

I thought the fine was per parent per day?

I think you should notify the school in advance. One less thing for you to remember when you're going away.

It is extrememely helpful to the teacher etc if you do let them know what you are doing and simple courtesy really.

You will get a ton of disapproval from school and mn though.

yes you have to phone. In our primary you were expected to phone in every day of absence. Not sure how that applies to holidays though

I thought the fine was £60 per session (two per day) per parent - so potentially £240 per day!
I would inform the school of your plans even though you know it won’t be authorised.

The fine is per parent, per day.

So £1,200 fine for each parent. £2,400 in total.....probably cheaper to go on holiday in the school holidays. Which is why they do it.

Where I live it's a £60 fine per parent per period of time off. It goes up to £120 if not paid in 21 days. We had a holiday in June and we were fined £240 for 2 kids. I would also let the school know in advance even if they aren't authorising.

Reception year isnt compulsory school age so how can you be fined?

@Grimbles it is if they turn 5 in the autumn or spring term

I think you’d have a better chance of avoiding a penalty notice if you give a courtesy warning beforehand. Is there a reason you’re taking a term time holiday that might constitute exceptional circumstances and be approved? Worth a shot? I’ve applied twice for a day or two tagged onto the start or end of a school holiday. One was accepted and authorised, one wasn’t, but they said they wouldn’t be issuing a fine.

Reception year isnt compulsory school age so how can you be fined?

Isn’t it first day of term after they turn 5? So if birthday is September, compulsory school age is first day of term in Jan?

Where are these fines charged in the UK? Do different areas have different rules? I've taken my kids out of school before and never been fined anything?

Some schools charge £60 per parent per session OP (morning and afternoon). So you could be looking at a huge fine. Check your school policy carefully.

I just checked and it’s as namechanged857 in my county. £120 seems a small financial prize to pay for a term time holiday.

Price not prize

I got fined recently. It is £60 per parent, per child, per period of absence. It doubles to £120 if you don't pay it within a specified time period. So mine missed 7 school days and I got fined £60 by the LEA for my child who is in secondary school (just me as i am a single parent). The primary school authorised the absence for my other children so no fine for them.

Yes, so it would depend on when they turn 5!

Your local council can give each parent a fine of £60, which rises to £120 each if you do not pay within 21 days. If you do not pay the fine after 28 days you may be prosecuted for your child’s absence from school.

Taken from the government website.
It is area dependant as to whether you will get a fine or not though, my kids primary still authorise holidays providing attendance is good.

The school will usually have a form to request leave that you can complete and submit to them, it will come back as unauthorised leave but at least they have the dates then.

I think you’d have a better chance of avoiding a penalty notice if you give a courtesy warning beforehand

Where is that coming from? afaik the fine isn't based on manners

*The fine is per parent, per day.

So £1,200 fine for each parent. £2,400 in total.....probably cheaper to go on holiday in the school holidays. Which is why they do it.

This is nonsense. But gets wheeled out on every thread about term time holidays. It's £60 per parent, per period of absence, whether the absence be one day or two weeks, so £120.

I've taken a term time holiday with my children every year since reception. Never been fined. Please don't listen to the scare mongering on here. You may well be fined but it won't be more than £120.

In the school I work in its £60 per parent, per period of absence, starting from a week. 4 days absence you don't get fined... so thats what everyone does 🤣

I'm planning on doing something similar but will be telling the school in advance so worksheets can be sent home etc.
I'm fully expecting to be fined but secretly hoping for some understanding....both DH and I have an opportunity to work in a country the other side of the world where we have family so it's more of a working holiday. It will be worth the fine though as it will be an amazing experience for all of us.

My son’s primary has an absence form you fill in in advance - his school will also authorise term time holidays (up to a week, not in sept or may) so it’s worth asking. I’ve taken him out for 1-2 days and not been fined.