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?

Of course rules can be changed, never said they can't be. Anyone though managed to get their LEA to change their rules (rather than maybe winning a one-off appeal) with regards to fines for unauthorised attendances?

Yes, it's hardly as if this is all set in stone. Also, the idea that the majority of parents in this country are realistically in a position to educate their children in anything other than the state system is completely fucking hatstand.

Do you think making attendance totally optional for any child signed up to the state school system any less fucking hatstand?

So what should the rules be? All children can have an extra 10 days off year? Maybe only though who exceed expectations can have time off?

Bizarre way to frame the discussion, since the question of whether most parents could in reality homeschool is one of fact, whereas the best way to deal with school absences is more one of opinion. In terms of parameters, I prefer option C which is for people not to come out with things that are so obviously nonsense, and for us to start from the understanding that most parents don't have any choice at all about using the state system so it does actually need to be done right. Especially as you can admit that and still be in support of fines for term time holidays.

In general though, I don't think the system we have in England is working very well. The pandemic and response to it didn't help, but these problems existed beforehand. There's no denying however that whatever moral legitimacy there might have been in fining parents for removing their children from school for a couple of weeks prior to March 2020 has been firmly eroded by the state decision to do so for millions of them for several months.

I don't think fining as a way to combat missing school deals with the underlying reasons behind the DC who have the worst absence records, the evidence for that isn't there, and that was the case both pre covid and now. It's also the case that those with more money and privilege don't need to care whereas those on lower incomes find it harder. Some families can't afford even a UK break other than in term time, and anything that's a fine based approach disproportionately advantages people who have the money to pay it quickly and also the resources to challenge it. I could afford to take my DC out of school for term time holidays a couple of times a year and pay the fine each time, it wouldn't serve as much of a deterrent and I'm not scared of authorities because navigating these systems isn't something I'm scared of. That's money and educational privilege. We have heard already from a number of parents on this thread who simply factor it into the costs of the holiday.

You clearly didn't research it enough before you took the kids out. If it was that easy to disappear off for two weeks we would all do it!

@ApplesandBunions Its not really bizarre, as if you want totally flexibility then home schooling is the only answer. If its not for you which I admit for many it isn't (including us for a mixture of reasons), you need to stick to term time holidays or pay the fines without complaining.

I agree the fines aren't enough - should be increased as children get older/repeat offenders for obvious holidays.

I could afford to take my DC out of school for term time holidays a couple of times a year and pay the fine each time Not sure this is really a boast as you admit its cheaper? We can afford to go away on holiday at least a couple of times year during school holidays.

It's completely bizarre, which you obviously know because you're moving the goalposts here. What you said is that parents have a choice because they can homeschool if they want. This is obviously a ridiculous claim. Nobody is saying that homeschooling doesn't provide more flexibility, it's you saying that everyone can choose it that is wrong.

Also, you're quite right it isn't a boast at all. It's a statement of fact. That's the whole point, which appears to have sailed over your head. You being another family for whom it wouldn't serve as a deterrent is further evidence of what I was saying.

School isn't compulsory at 4 - extra spending money for you! X

Aus now do have the same policy in some areas and are in the process of bringing it in across the country

Did you at least tell the school where you were? Like why they weren't coming in?

Went on holiday to Corfu No fine fine for learning support assistants children out of school!!.My son who was one of the first children to be diagnosed withADHD in south Somerset spent more time at home than school No learning for months no catch up but that was alright for he was doomed to fail by school and the school had concerns about the head’s attitude

The most shocking thing is that your son’s learning support was able to afford months of holiday in a year on their salary!

@NeedToGoOut

See you’ve made the news….lazy journalists!

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-fined-child-out-school-24452973?fbclid=IwAR26asw4BDzKfZ17yS6i8s8RFXWmGNMHFPq_enTOo3tzX11M27gvKIbynp0

The amount of SH!tty opinions on here is vile!

YES!!! You do have a right to be annoyed with getting a fine for taking YOUR child on holiday. Holidays cost enough as it is, and the cost of holidays go up substantially if you go out of term time.

I am pretty sure your child got more from that holiday than they would have done during that week of school.

lesson…. NEVER TELL THE TRUTH!! Report them sick, turn your phone off when you’re away and have someone phone in each day for you.

Telling the truth = fine!

Sad world we live in.

How can differing opinions about children missing school be vile? That's not an appropriate word to use at all

Well done you though for having such a grown up attitude to telling the truth, a shining example to your own children.

You've got me, that describes me to a T 😂😂how perceptive you are

Or do I mean bonkers?

No, you mean Perceptive.

No, I really really don't, you have no idea of my views on term time absence, only that I think lying is immature and that I find your extreme views on a relatively mundane subject are rather strange

ZOMBIE

@Rivtry2 Did you deliberately revive a zombie thread to have your day on this?

Do you find it relatively mundane? Cause you keep sticking your nose in don’t you? Do you always stick your nose into things you find immature? Maybe, you could use your time more constructively and stand up for low income families, children, and what’s actually right.

To be clear:

Tell the truth - get a fine.
Lie - avoid a fine and enjoy a holiday.

Really not that extreme. More common sense.

I hope that gives you some perspective.

No, I found it on the back of a friend incredibly upset over receiving a fine she can’t afford to pay (after visiting family for the first time since covid).

I expected to see mums supporting mums and it saddened me to see the opposite.

You don't seem to understand how this site works, anyone can comment on any thread they like. It not sticking one's nose it, it's using the site in the way it's intended

Please do tell me why you think I don't stand up for low income families, how do you know I'm not a low income family?

If you want to know how I could come up with that conclusion, read your first comment back.

This is how it is where we are too. 5 days in 90 or 10 sessions a term more specifically.

Noone ratted on you, you aren't a drug dealer. The school reported unauthorised absence as they are required. It's the rules you need to take issue with.