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?

Mongolia or tenerife, what happens if everyone decides to take their kids put of school whenever? You know yabu op

Oh don’t be ridiculous, how dramatic.

I think you’re being a bit unreasonable OP as the schools are usually very clear on the rules which you should have checked beforehand. But I agree it’s an annoying rule.

Literally nothing would happen.... Historically that was completely normal.

Did you think there was a special exception for the child who is top of the year? That would make MNers pretty much immune to fines as so many parents on here know that their child is top

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?

It doesn't matter that it's the first ever time.

The fine kicks in after they miss 10 sessions, which is five days (a session is a morning or afternoon).

And nobody "ratted on you". You chose to take DC out of school for a holiday, so now you need to face the consequences and pay the fine.

Oh dear

Stop whining and pay it.
You should have factored it into the cost of your holiday

YABU

you chose to go on holiday in term time, they fined you as they’re perfectly entitled to do so, suck it up, you’ve still saved money compared to going in school holidays. if you don’t want the fine, don’t go on term time holidays

In 2020 I took my 3 kids out of school for a ski trip and got fined £360. A few weeks later they were off school for a whole term because of covid so that was pretty annoying! However I knew I would get fined when I took them out, you just have to suck it up.

Well done to your dc for their marks, but maybe they would be better off in school as much as possible if they have parents that can't correctly interpret fairly basic rules or comprehend the school doesn't have a choice how to report. 🤣

YABU, generally it is 10 sessions not 10 days to trigger a fine, and you must have known there was a risk of fining when school sent you a letter refusing to authorise the time of (presuming that you did tell them in advance you were taking them out of school)

YABU you took your child out during term time and I expected saved more than the fine is on paying for holiday etc. it’s the risk you take so no one ratted you out. It’s the just way the system works which you knew was a possibility

Your fault for not checking the rules. Either (preferably) don't take your dc out of school, or suck up the fine. Whatever your opinion of the rules is, the school was just doing its job and following them, they weren't 'ratting on you'!

We got our letters with fines this week for a trip we took in may one week half term one week we took DD out well worth the savings on a trip to USA
we made that choice we facing the consequences

Kids do bugger all the last week before the holidays. It's all bring a game to school and watch a movie in the afternoon. That said I do think it's nice for them to have the downtime with their friends.

I don't think a fine for a child who is doing well overall in school is beneficial, people just factor in the cost of the fines to the holiday or try and get out of it. I'm in Scotland where we don't fine though so have no skin in the game.

100% This!

weve just had a fine for taking my daughter out (100% attendance!) however it was acceptable for no work to be set by the school during Covid... im pissed off cus a lot of people are late every single day and never have a punishment...surely all the 10 mins every day adds up!

As others have said school will be obliged to report absence figures to the LA. You made your choice and the fine is a result of that choice.

Honestly 🙄

Meanwhile thousands of children who actually do have issues attending school due to send or mental health are failed daily with lack of services provided.

I wouldn't mind the fines if they actually went towards supporting children who can't attend rather than those who won't for a period.

But no - it's all about control and punishing parents.

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.

Parents also get fined who are very much arsed about whether their children go to school, but whose DC have school based anxiety, autism, ADD or other additional needs and have massive panic attacks, run away, or have other reactions detrimental to their mental/physical health when faced with going to school. Illness is a reason for an authorised absence, anxiety is an illness, but schools are reluctant to authorise absence for it.

If your child is under compulsory school age check about the fine.

I know and I think that's bloody horrendous as well. Common sense should be applied when fining! Parents who are trying their absolute bloody best in a difficult situation should absolutely not be fined, they should be supported.

Ok I stand corrected! 10 sessions not 10 days.

Bloody joke that we have been fined by the same LA who’s broken the law by denying my SEN DC an education for the last academic year!

They have to. And it's 10 sessions - schools do morning and afternoon registration

Kids do bugger all the last week before the holidays. It's all bring a game to school and watch a movie in the afternoon.

That depends on the age of the children. My DCs are doing GCSE content right up till the bitter end last day.

I’d just pay it and forget about it.

yabu to complain but i don’t think yabu to do it, as long as you accept the consequences. Schools are just following the rules they don’t necessarily agree with them.