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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask school to authorise absence for center parcs

178 replies

needabreak5 · 06/05/2021 15:01

We have booked the CP village near my parents (300 miles from us), for next month. Friday to Monday, term time so two days off school. It was originally booked for last year, before DS started school, cancelled due covid, rebooked for Christmas (then cancelled), re-booked for easter (cancelled). On this fourth re-book the only available dates were during term-time DC haven't seen grandparents for 10 months - we are desperate for a mini holiday after so many disappointments and cancellations. If you were the head would you allow the absence?

OP posts:
footiemum3 · 06/05/2021 15:14

@needabreak5

thanks DS is in reception - the absence policy is a bit vague, but appears if its not authorised then DH and I would both be fined so we have to pay double the amount. Does that sound right?
That would certainly be correct in our county if the parents are a couple both parents are fined. Single or separated parents just 1 fined.
CoffeeWithCheese · 06/05/2021 15:14

Will go down as unauthorised - fines depend on the lay of the land where you live - but I think after the country shut the schools for months it would be a brave move right now to try to initiate fines.

I've booked to take mine away next week - and sent the request form into school fully knowing it will be sent back with a "will have to go down as unauthorised". I'll be annoyed if they push it any further than that considering there are families who do this constantly and it's the first time we've done this in the entire time my kids have been in education.

Knittedfairies · 06/05/2021 15:14

Fines are per parent per child here

SoupDragon · 06/05/2021 15:17

@moreofalurker

Don't ask them, go on your holiday have an amazing time. He/she has a tummy ache. Why are people so hateful? She wants a holiday leave her to it.
Don't try to get your 5 year old to lie. They won't be able to help themselves telling everyone exactly what they did at the weekend.
minniemomo · 06/05/2021 15:17

I doubt you will be fined (that's down to the Lea) but you won't get it authorised as it's a holiday.

MoxFulder · 06/05/2021 15:19

Just call him in sick with a tummy bug. Or covid symptoms.

SoupDragon · 06/05/2021 15:20

they should of course authorise them all - Covid being the exceptional reason

No, they shouldn't authorise them all and Covid is the reason why not! They've missed so much school already that they don't need toe disruption of children disappearing off on holidays left right and centre.

Obviously 2 days isn't going to make a blind bit of difference in reception and, personally, I think you should go. However, it will be an unauthorised absence and you have to be prepared to take whatever consequences there are from that (probably none!)

SoupDragon · 06/05/2021 15:21

@MoxFulder

Just call him in sick with a tummy bug. Or covid symptoms.
Teacher: Hello Fred, are you feeling better? Fred: I went swimming! And bike riding! I saw grandma and grandad and we had LOADS of fun ! And... and..
Original poster
needabreak5 · 06/05/2021 15:22

thanks for all the replies. so the consensus seems to be that i wont be able to get it authorised. But if I tell the truth and take them out anyway then I'm not likely to be fined. DC is too young to be able to lie and I wouldn't want him to anyway. I've sent the request to the school so will see what they say.

OP posts:
canigooutyet · 06/05/2021 15:24

Yes encourage your child to lie about where they have been for the weekend. Then wonder what went wrong when they start telling more lies because why not.

It amazes me how some adults seem to think children are stupid and don't talk in school. How do you think schools know that your child has been dosed up on calpol for example to get them through the gates?

lazylinguist · 06/05/2021 15:28

they should of course authorise them all - Covid being the exceptional reason

Of course they shouldn't authorise them. Kids have missed tons of school. If they authorised every child to go on holiday during term time it would be massively disruptive to classes. If you want to go, go and accept the consequences (not that there will be any for 2 days). You can't expect school to mark it as an authorised absence just because you're more desperate to go than you usually would be (like everyone else!).

Peace43 · 06/05/2021 15:31

Review your local authority rules on unauthorised absence. Ours say you need a written warning after 10 sessions of absence (1 session = 1/2day). Then if you have further transgressions they can fine you.

Original poster
needabreak5 · 06/05/2021 15:32

No, they shouldn't authorise them all and Covid is the reason why not! They've missed so much school already that they don't need toe disruption of children disappearing off on holidays left right and centre.

for young DC, there is so much more that they have missed that is as equally as important as a couple of days school at 5 years old. Time with elderly GP, holidays, swimming, change of scene. May sound selfish, but we as parents also really, really, need this too.

OP posts:
FinallyFluid · 06/05/2021 15:33

Years ago, I wrote to DS's very Catholic secondary school advising them that he would be absent on the Friday as we were traveling to Dublin for a First Holy Communion, the letter came back from the HT saying that she was not authorising it.

The PS in her own handwriting said enjoy the FHC and say a prayer for me. Grin

Official letter on file said no way, everyone happy. Grin

sonypony · 06/05/2021 15:34

As he has only just turned 5 he isn’t compulsory school age yet so no fine. You don’t need to request just let them know.

Hollyhead · 06/05/2021 15:34

There's no point, they're not allowed, just go - although it is courteous to let them know that they won't be in. Being fined for 2 days absence would be very unlucky

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 06/05/2021 15:35

Can you move the booking to half term week or summer holiday? There are 6 weeks of holiday out of the next 16 weeks and children have missed so much school already, if I was the head I would feel a bit Hmm that you hadn't booked it during the holidays.

UserAtRandom · 06/05/2021 15:35

@needabreak5

No, they shouldn't authorise them all and Covid is the reason why not! They've missed so much school already that they don't need toe disruption of children disappearing off on holidays left right and centre.

for young DC, there is so much more that they have missed that is as equally as important as a couple of days school at 5 years old. Time with elderly GP, holidays, swimming, change of scene. May sound selfish, but we as parents also really, really, need this too.

All this is possible to do within the half term holiday which is in a few weeks' time.

That's why it won't be authorised. However, you should just go anyway.

Pinkflipflop85 · 06/05/2021 15:36

@needabreak5

No, they shouldn't authorise them all and Covid is the reason why not! They've missed so much school already that they don't need toe disruption of children disappearing off on holidays left right and centre.

for young DC, there is so much more that they have missed that is as equally as important as a couple of days school at 5 years old. Time with elderly GP, holidays, swimming, change of scene. May sound selfish, but we as parents also really, really, need this too.

All things that can be done the 175 other days that children aren't in school.
Foxyloxy1plus1 · 06/05/2021 15:36

The LA sets the rule, so you fill in the form that says he will be absent on such and such days, the head says they can’t authorise it and that’s likely to be the end of it.

Hollyhead · 06/05/2021 15:36

@FinallyFluid that's what our school do. As long as it's not at a ridiculous time of year they seem pretty relaxed about a week off.

SoupDragon · 06/05/2021 15:36

@needabreak5

No, they shouldn't authorise them all and Covid is the reason why not! They've missed so much school already that they don't need toe disruption of children disappearing off on holidays left right and centre.

for young DC, there is so much more that they have missed that is as equally as important as a couple of days school at 5 years old. Time with elderly GP, holidays, swimming, change of scene. May sound selfish, but we as parents also really, really, need this too.

Did you bother to read the rest of my post?
sonypony · 06/05/2021 15:36

(I’ve assumed you’re in England Blush)

BelleBlueBell · 06/05/2021 15:37

@MoxFulder

Just call him in sick with a tummy bug. Or covid symptoms.
Yes, do that, best to start teaching your children as early as possible to lie and deceive and train them to keep secrets.

Great suggestion

TeacupDrama · 06/05/2021 15:37

They can't authorise as no exceptional circumstances I would just inform them on the thursday that they won't be in on Friday and Monday don't tell them too soon so they can't ring and try and dissuade you

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