To think the school might authorise this absence?

[NameChangedTwice]

its automatic fine for 5 days unauthorised so I’m thinking to formally request our upcoming holiday to India to be authorised. We go end of October half term but want to stay to celebrate Diwali with DH’s friends and family, which a Sunday, and will fly back the Monday which will mean 6 days off school after half term. Kids are 6 and 9.

DH is Hindu, kids are not really religious but do celebrate Diwali and take part in the cultural traditions. we usually celebrate at home in U.K. but since we are going to India anyway thought it would be nice to have the full experience experience - it’s just not as ‘festive’ in the U.K. and there’s not the same atmosphere. Do you think this is a good enough reason for the school to authorise the absence? We wouldn’t do it every year but would be nice for them to experience it in India as they haven’t done since they were pre-schoolers.

I should say, we are already planning to take them out a couple of days next summer for centerparcs, so want to try to keep the ‘unauthorised’ absence under 5 days so we don’t get an auto-fine!

I'd move the dates of this if you can. Then should be fine

No they probably won't authorise it

We’d still go over 5 days as need 6 days for India trip!

Unlikely they will authorise it, but who knows as some schools seem to, others don’t. Ours didn’t when my kids went to India with their dad and grandparents

...thought it would be nice to have the full experience experience - it’s just not as ‘festive’ in the U.K. and there’s not the same atmosphere. Do you think this is a good enough reason for the school to authorise the absence?

No, I don't think it will be authorised.

It's unlikely to be authorised. Don't blame the school, the government rules are ridiculous.

They might do on religious grounds? But I’d just budget for the fine and not give it another thought! It’ll be an amazing experience for you all as a family.

They should authorise for religious celebration

I think religious holidays would be authorised. So I’m guessing it’s a bit of a grey area with the fact the holiday is in fact the Sunday so you’ll be travelling on the Monday. Not sure what the school will do.

I think the other 5 days will be unauthorised though so I think you’re heading for a fine either way I’m afraid.

I doubt they would authorise 6 days for Diwali. What are the actual days you want as an authority absence?

I don't think it will be authorised, I think they'll tell you to have a nice time but it may well be fined, taking that much time off at the beginning of the school year is also a pain as it massively impacts the attendance percentage and takes ages to build back up which means schools don't like to send ill children home unless actually being sick if their percentage is low.

The probably won’t authorise

school May authorise it but probably not but either way sounds like a fantastic opportunity!

skip centre parcs as taking two term time holidays in a year probably will trigger fines

I'd make a big point about it being a religious trip, important cultural celebration, children's heritage and so on. You might get it authorised.

Don't tell them about CP (yet!!!)

Request it on religious grounds.

Any family members of DHs who aren't likely to be around next year? You can say last chance to celebrate with family member and it's for religious purposes.

But whatever they say (and it's the LA who fine) just go and enjoy yourselves

The days for diwali will be authorised for religious reasons. Doesn't it last 5 days?

You do know we celebrate Diwali here too dont you?

of Course - but spending time with family is a big part of it for our family. Their grandparents and DH’s brother came to U.K. last year, they will be in India this year so we are joining them to celebrate together. And with other extended friends and family. We don’t have a massive circle who celebrate in U.K. but we do in India.

Diwali is Sunday 12th. We would like from 6th to 13th to be authorised if possible.

That's not going to help the OP get the holiday authorised though is it?
And depending on where the OP lives, there may be very little going on for Diwali - it will certainly be very different to a celebrations in India.

Our school authorises weddings as they are a religious occasion.

That sounds lovely. I’m assuming you’d still go even if it was unauthorised and you received a fine, so just accept that’s a strong possibility and go have fun!

You can but ask @NameChangedTwice

I personally think at least some might be authorised because of a religious festival.

Good luck.

I think you should be prepared to be fined.