WIBU to lie to school? WWYD.

[anerki101]

It's a term time holiday one.

One DC in reception. Will be missing four days of school in June for a holiday.

Would you lie and call DC in sick? Or just tell them the truth? I really don't want a fine. Am I likely to get one for a four day absence due to a holiday?

Also aware if we lie, DC is likely to go back to school and talk about the holiday anyway.

I’ve taken my child out of both primary and High School for short periods. I just emailed and asked for permission. He does have a disabled sibling though, so I used time when she was at school to take him for 1-1 time. It was never refused.

People do lie, but then the child comes back with a slight tan and proceeds to tell everyone about the lovely holiday they had, the room they stayed in, what activities they did and some new words they learned whilst out there. Sometimes the hair style also gives it away when they come in with their hair in lots of braids.

No one wants the bloody fine. It won't matter this time due to your child's age but in future I would find out what your local council's standpoint is. For mine it is 4 1/5 days before they fine you, so 4 1/2 days are okay but hit 5 days or 10 sessions and you are fined. Cost me in fines but saved me £3.5k in cost of holiday.

If DC isn't going to be 5 anyway there's no legal obligation for them to be at school. It's fine but just be honest with the school. Lying makes no sense. It doesn't benefit anyone.

It literally doesn’t matter if your dc has “unauthorised absence” in their records in primary.

under 5 days our schools in our county don’t prosecute but they get grumpy if your dc has high sickness and then you take them out for a holiday.

Thank you! I'm very excited! It's DC's first time abroad and first time on a plane. I also haven't been abroad for seven years so June can't come quick enough!!

DC's attendance isn't fabulous but that's because it's reception so he's catching every bug going including a week off recently with chicken pox!

Your child isn't CSA you can take them out of school whenever you want. Schools may try and tell you differently but legally you can randomly keep them off for a few days , a week, every Tuesday etc it's entirely your choice.

Don't lie. The teachers will all know, believe me. It sound like your child is too young for it to matter anyway.

You can but the school can give your place away if they are oversubscribed. Non-statutory works both ways.

Don’t lie and pay the fine.

In reception I wouldn’t worry. We took dd1 our 4 days in reception to go to Canada (to see family) tagged on at Easter and then dd1 was in Year 4 and dtds in Year 1 when we did the same to go to USA to visit other family. Both times head teacher happily agreed but couldn’t authorise. Second time I felt particularly guilty as I was a governor. We went to New York, Wisconsin Dells, Great Lakes and Chicago - plus caught up with my cousins and their dc who my dc now have a great relationship with. Totally worth it.

Don’t lie, tell the truth. They can’t fine you he’s to young and even if it was the term after he turned 5 it has to be 10 absences (1 morning and 1 afternoon = 5 days) where we are. It’s worth checking your local rules.

We did lie for a day after a center parcs weekend when dd was about 4 or 5. It was silly as it was before the days of fines so it probably would have been approved. I wasn't going to tell dd not to mention it so of course she came home and told me all the staff she'd told about her holiday 😀

He's 4, don't lie.
My kids school always wish us a nice holiday and no fine.

I work in school admin. They'll definitely find out and then that'll be on your child's notes.

You'd be surprised how often children have tonsillitis for a week then return with a tan and a Disneyworld pen.

At my school you wouldn't be fined until it's 10 sessions which is 5 days.

Don't lie. Nobody will bat an eyelid I promise you.

I voted YABU, but I mean to lie rather than to go on holiday. Just tell them.

Fun story: took DD on a long weekend many years ago and instead of telling school, I said she was sick. While on holiday, she was bitten by a horse, we ended up in A&E and obviously she went back and told everybody she went camping and was bitten by a horse 😅I never lied to them again!

Have a nice holiday, OP!

Look up the rules for your local authority. Many don't fine if 5 days or less.
Tbh if that rule isn't in place, I might well just call them in sick.

I would just send an email at the end of the last day they are at school saying 'Billy will not be at school until 'insert day''

Don't lie, your poor children will have to keep it up

Well, children should never be taken out of school in term time, for a start. Education is a privilege and should be prioritised.
But if you insist on doing this, just be honest and pay the fine.

just tell the truth not worth the angst-they usually dont fine until its mor than 5 days but i think it varies

my cousin has just been told fine is now 100 per day in his area-still prob cheaper than a holiday out of term time

Teacher here and I do not judge parents for taking their children out of school…I would do it myself if I could.

Two things to consider here though:

1. your son will absolutely inadvertently grass you up by talking about the amazing time he had.
2. if you’re going abroad (couldn’t see in your first post), if the school call you the ring tone will give you away…it’s happened loads in our school!

When! You get found out you will have lost respect and be seen as a liar,you won't be the only one doing this at all,but do you want to be viewed as dishonest by the school?