To think the school might authorise this absence?

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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.

It would be so nice if you could have the time authorised. It sounds like an amazing festival to experience fully in it's country of origin.

I'd ask and expect to be refused, but go anyway and pay the fine. At least you are being upfront.

My primary child wasn't allowed to have 1 day off school to see me and dozens of others complete a scary feat to raise money for the department that saved his life as a baby. So I wouldn't expect their blessing for anything ever again.

Go. Enjoy!

Depends on how understanding your school are. It could be argued it should be authorised as religious holiday. That's what I'd hope anyway!

Our LA only allow us one authorised absence per Eid so two a year, it might be worth a try.

I would not push my luck with centrec parcs to be honest.

Don't worry about it, just pay the fine, in the context of a trip to India the fine is small and this trip is a really valuable experience, 100% worth it anyone can see that, doesn't change the fact that the Government rules probably won't allow for it to be authorised.

This would be authorised in my authority as it's a religious celebration and it is reasonable to take that amount of time because you are leaving the country to celebrate it with family.

CP would most likely trigger a fine.

This won't come under authorised absence, it's a holiday after all

Our school automatically authorises 1 day for Eid, therefore I think you would have an argument for 1 day for Divali, I don't think the whole week would be authorised though.
(Edited to correct spelling)

Our school probably would, but they're more generous than most as have a diverse intake and dual nationals.

Can’t you just write a note after saying sorry children weren’t at school they were feeling unwell? This maybe isn’t an option I am in NI where we don’t have fines for being off school so not familiar with the system

It would be lovely if they did, for Diwali, as I think it sounds an amazing experience, and part of their cultural heritage. It might work.

They might ask, I think, why you didn’t go during half term rather than after it - I realise that wouldn’t encompass Diwali, but you’d still get the trip to India.

I also wouldn’t push it with CP on top.

You could ask if the Friday and Monday at least could be coded as ‘R’ (religious observation) rather than ‘G’ (family holiday not agreed) or ‘H’ (family holiday agreed).

I think they might, but then don't take the mick and ask for CP too!

Maybe, I think you have nothing to lose by asking. I think it's a reasonable request if it's put across as a cultural experience/sharing with family- wouldn't be an issue at a Christian time of celebration due to standard school hols. They can only say no, however it won't necessarily stop a fine for the proposed center parcs break so I'd probably change that if possible.

I’d lie and say there’s a close family wedding in India. You shouldn’t have to lie, but it’s not a question of a person reading the request and deciding whether it’s reasonable - it’s a person who must abide by the rules given to them. So it could get refused despite being reasonable.

It's down to the headteachers discretion though. When we took ours out (they all went to different schools) 2 of 3 head teachers authorised and 1 reported and took it to fine.

Only if it's in a religious building. Marriage is a legal document. Nothing religious about it

Doubt they'll authorise. Probably worth just calling in sick or better still say you're going on strike!

Thanks All - I’d rather not lie and call in sick or say it’s a wedding…as it would mean either asking kids to lie or school finding out the truth anyway.

India and Diwali I can understand.

But why are you taking them to CP in term time? Is that really necessary?

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But why are you taking them to CP in term time? Is that really necessary?

we are going with close family members who don’t have school aged kids, and are limited on both dates and finances.

It will be 2 days off and happy for this to be unauthorised. If we manage to keep the number of unauthorised days less than 5 for the whole school year then it won’t flag for a fine.

I voted yanbu until I realised you were planning to also do a CP trip. In which case yabu

I’d go and budget for the fine. It sounds lovely.

CP in term time on the other hand…

You can ask, it’s likely to be no, rules are rules pay the fine