To lie to school or tell the truth? Holiday

Sirzy · 14/07/2022 14:01

Just tell them the truth.

the80sweregreat · 14/07/2022 14:01

Id tell the truth tbh

Yodaisawally · 14/07/2022 14:01

Well tell them out of courtesy, but presumably DD is under CSA, how old is your son?

coodawoodashooda · 14/07/2022 14:02

dhisaknob · 14/07/2022 13:58

Going away tomorrow until Monday to South Wales haven't told the school yet.
DD is at the nursery and DS is in the school (reception) they've both got amazing attendance. But they made me feel abit shitty when I let them have a day off 2 months ago because I took them out for the day.

I know it doesn't matter too much as they are still young.

'Due to family circumstances x and y will be absent from ... until...' Done. As long as you don't complain that they've missed work it's fine.

ZarquonsSandals · 14/07/2022 14:02

Schools get it in the neck from OFSTED about attendance.
However, the last 2 years have been mostly bad for children in reception throughout about y3 as they have missed a lot of transition, settling in, classroom environments and socialising that their older peers have experienced.
Just tell the school. They won't be allowed to authorise it, but they are well aware that nearly everyone who claims to be ill during the last week or so of term is lying. Depending on the local authority, you may receive a fine.

SortingOffice · 14/07/2022 14:11

Both are under the age for compulsory attendance.
However I think lying is a bad example for a parent to set to a child, and it's just courtesy. They will know you are going on holiday anyway so at least be honest.

When mine were at school after term time holidays were banned I just wrote to the school and said my DC would be absent from a to b.

Theladybirdthatsaidboo · 14/07/2022 14:57

dhisaknob · 14/07/2022 13:58

Going away tomorrow until Monday to South Wales haven't told the school yet.
DD is at the nursery and DS is in the school (reception) they've both got amazing attendance. But they made me feel abit shitty when I let them have a day off 2 months ago because I took them out for the day.

I know it doesn't matter too much as they are still young.

They’ve got “amazing” attendance but you already took them out of school for a day out earlier this term? I can sort of see why school would be unimpressed.

Just tell school the truth about what you are doing - they aren’t stupid and your children will tell them anyway.

gogohmm · 14/07/2022 15:07

You took your child out of school for a day out? I do wonder sometimes. No you can't do that. They get 6 weeks holidays, ok for exceptional reasons schools should be understanding eg family wedding, sick grandparent but for a day out or holiday they will make you feel bad because it is bad

TabithaTittlemouse · 14/07/2022 15:08

Don’t lie. Liars always get found out and you don’t want to be THAT parent.

Mariposista · 14/07/2022 15:35

gogohmm · 14/07/2022 15:07

You took your child out of school for a day out? I do wonder sometimes. No you can't do that. They get 6 weeks holidays, ok for exceptional reasons schools should be understanding eg family wedding, sick grandparent but for a day out or holiday they will make you feel bad because it is bad

This. Reception teacher talking. As for 'it doesn't matter as they are little', kids need routine. A 5 year old kid comes bouncing back into class after a holiday, all out of routine, forgotten manners and how we do things in class, listening, turn taking etc, and disrupt all the other children. Multiply that by 30 kids in the class all taking jollies when their parents feel like it, and we have constant disruption. It is actually easier with older children who slot back into class much quicker after a break.

BendingSpoons · 14/07/2022 15:42

I think you need to be honest. Assuming they will be back in school next week then they will tell their teacher. Plus the chances of them both being ill the exact same 2 days is unlikely.

DD is year 1 and reports the teacher's comments in relation to days off. The girl who had a tummy bug on her birthday definitely wasn't believed! (Correctly, she was having a lovely day on Facebook!)

cliffdiver · 14/07/2022 15:50

Both are under the age for compulsory attendance

Older DS may be of compulsory age.

You reach compulsory school age the term after you turn 5.

So from January if you're born Sept-Dec, after Easter if you're born Jan-March and the September of Y1 if you're born April-August.

Regardless, your DS will be missing less than 10 sessions (5 days) so you won't be fined.

Just tell the truth.

BanjoVio · 14/07/2022 15:56

Teacher here. I hate it when parents take kids out of school for term time holidays (and days out… really?!)
It is not your human right to go on a less expensive holiday or a jolly.
It is your child’s human right to have an education.

AmbushedByCake1 · 14/07/2022 16:00

Tell them the truth. Much better than lying. I took my year 2 child out of a school for 2 days and school were fine.

Ontomatopea · 14/07/2022 16:03

Tell them. I'm assuming you won't just be sat on your bums in South Wales as there's loads to do there so they will be learning something.

NerrSnerr · 14/07/2022 16:12

If you lie you're also expecting your children to lie because their teacher will ask them if they're feeling better when they're back on the Tuesday. Just tell the truth. If it's a morning checkout on the Monday I'd just come back on Sunday night and go to school as normal.

JimmyGrimble · 14/07/2022 16:22

If you tell school the truth it will probably go down as unauthorised (because that is what the government tells us to do) they will come back and life will go on. Schools can’t stop parents taking holidays. Your children will, however, tell their friends and probably their teachers where they were so if you lie you will be known as a liar. Up to you but I would tell the truth.

Nancydrawn · 14/07/2022 16:30

coodawoodashooda · 14/07/2022 14:02

'Due to family circumstances x and y will be absent from ... until...' Done. As long as you don't complain that they've missed work it's fine.

Show quote history

This. No need to lie. Just say that they will be absent. If asked, tell the truth. Don't explain; don't complain.

PMAmostofthetime · 14/07/2022 16:31

Tell the truth- school is not compulsory until they are 6 anyway.

I live in South Wales- you are in for a beautiful week of sunshine-
Enjoy :)

Flapjack637 · 14/07/2022 16:37

BanjoVio · 14/07/2022 15:56

Teacher here. I hate it when parents take kids out of school for term time holidays (and days out… really?!)
It is not your human right to go on a less expensive holiday or a jolly.
It is your child’s human right to have an education.

I’m well within my rights to do what I think is best for my children!

IfYouOnlyKnew · 14/07/2022 16:58

I’ve had parents tell me their child is ill before when actually they were on holiday. The kids always tells the teacher or other kids where they really were and the school always knows! Just tell the truth, they can respond how they want but they can’t stop you. There’s no point lying when the school will find out, just be honest.

ClocksGoingBackwards · 14/07/2022 17:02

Tell the truth, otherwise you’ll have to teach your child to lie or be found out anyway. Ime teachers lose a lot of respect for parents that lie to them, but they understand why parents take term time holidays even if they don’t like it.

Everythingiscopy · 14/07/2022 17:03

Don’t tell them! Say they’re off ill. Makes it so much less of a headache for the school because then it’s an authorised absence and they don’t have to go through the hassle of reporting it to the local authority etc.

blessedbethebutter · 14/07/2022 17:04

Tell the truth and don't feel bad at all. Have a fab weekend away.

Julystheme · 14/07/2022 17:07

I’m a teacher, and I’d lie