To think holiday should not be unauthorised/fined

[needabreak5]

we booked a family holiday from 15th July based on published term date on schools website. They were up there last term. We’ve now had a notification that these were incorrect, last day of term is 21st July.

Holiday could be changed at a cost, but unfortunately I can’t change my leave at work as colleagues have booked other weeks based on my weeks etc.

we’ve already taken kids out for 2 days of unauthorised absence (and thought these would be the only 2 days) - more than 5 in school year is an automatic fine, 2 DC.

ive asked school, they say they understand it will be unauthorised but won’t be fined as the LA allow up to 5 days per child per year without automatically enforcing. I mentioned the 2 days we already have and they said that might be ‘tricky’.

im not too fussed about missing learning in last week of term, but will be annoyed if I have to argue over a fine.

You shouldn’t be fined for their mistake but you might be for the others.

it’s annoying but usually worth it with what you save on the holiday.

I know, I think they’ll fine for the others, but it’s frustrating as usually up to 5 days they waive the fine, and we took the 2 days on that basis!

You really shouldn't be penalised for them giving the wrong dates. I don't agree with fines etc anyway but definitely not in this situation!

I'd argue this one all the way but I'm an argumentative type with things like this anyway 😁

Write to the headteacher. I believe, whilst they have rules to follow, they also have some discretion and in light of the error in posting the term dates they will likely be able to stop any fines being sent.

I assume different areas may be different, but according to my local authority a child can have unauthorised absence for 10 sessions in a 10 week period without being fines. 1 session is half a day so each day is 2 sessions....5 days in other words. Once the 10 weeks is up it resets. Might be worth looking into with the local authority directly.

I'm sure you won't be the only family who have booked their holiday based on their (incorrect) published term dates. Lots of families book holidays well in advance to get the best prices. If you do get fined, is there an appeal process? It would seem really unfair to be fined because of their error.

God if I’d had those dates sent to me I’d have pounced on that time to book a cheaper holiday!

You shouldn’t be fined for their mistake I agree. I hope they have really apologised to you as kids don’t necessarily like to miss the end of term!

Do you have any evidence/screenshot of the incorrect dates?
if so I would be sending this to relevant parties and appealing and not backing down as it was their error.

we once had inset dates that were very useful for an off peak holiday but looked a bit odd. I booked the holiday but kept screenshots in case the inset days were changed later.

Oh actually just seen that they have confirmed they posted incorrect dates originally. In that case you’ve got evidence
I never take mine out in term time but I would in this scenario

Surely they should authorise the absence as it’s based on their mistake? Bet you’re not the only ones who’ve booked a holiday.