Fine for taking kid out of school- 8 days?

[NeedToGoOut]

Just got penalty notice letters for DH and I.

We only took DC out of school last month for 8 days, first ever time. I didn’t think a penalty was given unless DC is taken out for 10 days?

DC had 100% attendance outside of that and is top of year. No effect on education at all. Had assessments the week after we returned and got 97-100%!

AIBU to be a bit pissed off the school ran straight to LA to rat on us?

I assume the school are obliged to

It's 10 sessions (i.e. 5 days) you get fined for - actually in our school anything over 8 sessions gets a fine.

The school have to share attendance with LA, it's up the the school how to mark that absence but why wouldn't they mark it as unauthorized?

Ran to the LEA to rat on you. Are you 12?

You took your child out of school, pay the fine an stop complaining.

We took 3 children (2 schools) out of school for 5 days. 1 school refused the request and marked it as unauthorised the other didn't.

So now we have a fine for 2 children which I'm appealing.

school didn’t run and rat, it’s an automatic referral system. Designed to protect kids. HTH.

I'm not sure what you are complaining about? You took him out of school for nearly two weeks. Do you think you shouldn't get fined because he's top of the class?

The schools are obligated to report attendance.

You just plan the cost of the fine into cosy of holiday. Alao 8 days missed is quite a lot, usually it would just be 5 days if missed the whole week, or a couple of days if you go early before a school holiday.

Your child had an unauthorised absence, not sure what you expected 🤷🏼‍♀️

Who told you it was 10 days? It's 10 sessions, so 5 full days.

You took your child out of school for a week and half, just before the summer holidays. Of course you got a fine.

I didn’t think a penalty was given unless DC is taken out for 10 days?

I think that was gone before mine had started school - seem to remember it being there from my childhood - and HT couldn't give permission for anything bar medical time off.

We're in Wales - we've been notified by local LEA and school they are bring fines back though at minute that's seen as last resort - pre covid they were much stricter and quicker to fine.

Depends on your LEA but I suspect school had little choice in any of it.

The rules about absences are a pain - OfSted has something to say if overall absence is lower than they decree and heads have a difficult problem on their hands.

We should go back to the old system whereby the head keeps an eye on pupils' attendance and takes action if there are problems with a child or family. And that action used to include help for the family from a School Welfare person. Now it is all about punishment.

My DDs are adults now, but we used to take them out for 2 weeks every year to go to France. No-one batted an eyelid.

Ours is 10 sessions but i think it varies by LEA. I think it I automatic.

We got a fine for taking dc to an annual sporting event in which dh competes.. Fined £70.
Apparently it's not important.. To dc and dh it bloody was.

Event been the same date for 50 years. Maybe school should email and insist it be on school holidays in future..?
Meanwhile teacher put down 'medical issues' for dd's friend attending Harry Styles concert last week..

You denied your child an education. Well done. A fine is the least of your worries, you may want to revisit your priorities....

www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence/legal-action-to-enforce-school-attendance - you can find your local council and check the rules here if in England - ( I suspect rest of UK won't be on that system though could be wrong)

It varies for la to la but the standard is 10 sessions which is 5 days. We've had letters from our school over the last term to say that absence is the new priority so expect fines.

They are obliged to report. You will have saved a lot on a none peak holiday and if you pay straight away it will be cheaper. 8 days (16 sessions) was always likely to result in a fine.
It used to be case private schools never got fined and they finish early anyway so you can get away none peak. But school fees are far more than paying a fine.

When will people realise their children's education takes priority over an all inc in Tenerife?! Just selfish.

Ran and rat on you 😂 really?! Come on you can't actually be that silly. The school have to report attendance. And as pps have said it's 10 sessions, so 5 days. Just suck it up.

As everyone says it's 10 sessions not 10 days.
Also "ran to rat on you" What sort of adult speaks like that?
I'll be taking my 4yr old out of reception next year, I know the rules and therefore will pay the fine.

It’s strange how the parents who complain about this always have children who are top of the class as If that should make them immune.

if you take your children out you risk a fine. It’s that’s simple. I am taking Ds out for 5 days next year. I have factored in the possibility of a fine

But a back packing trail around Mongolia would be fine? 🙄. Snob

Just pay the fine. It's not the school. Its policy and why should you not get a fine when others do.

Ffs this attitude 😂

We took dc out for 10 days to visit family on the other side of the world. Thankfully in Aus you don't have this ridiculous rule regarding fines.

DC school actually said enjoy the time with your family, it's priceless.

When will some people realise that not all parents can take Annual Leave in school holidays, and family holidays are also valuable experiences for children.
Also that being snobby over the destination just makes you look ignorant.

Don't be so ridiculous. They were off for a good year with COVID but seemingly that's absolutely fine whilst 8 days will "deny them an education"

Christ, every other generation had holidays in school term and most of us hold down a job. 8 days won't make a shit of difference if they attend the rest of the time.

Realistically fines should be given to parents who just can't be arsed sending their kids to school and keep them off for pathetic reasons, however these parents ime never get fined, there's never any consequences, but I'm sure I'll get a fine for taking ds out for five days last week even though it's had no detrimental affect whatsoever and he's had only one other day off (COVID test) this school year.