Should I allow sons dad to take him on holiday in term time?

[Fishandchips1980]

Apologies if this has been asked before, I did search but could not find anything!
My ex wants to take our son on holiday during term time in February, meaning he will miss a week of school. I have asked if he could take him in half term but apparently not.
Son is 10 and year 5 primary and would like to go but mostly to miss a week of school. He has an otherwise great attendance. I am leaning towards saying no but not sure if this is being unfair?

You get fined too. Is the Dad going to cover your fine? Do you think school will approve the absence?

Yes being unfair

We take our dc out week before half term

As much cheaper

Just make sure not when any exams /tests are

I'd let him go. A week off in year 5 with otherwise great attendance is not the end of the world. I think you'll both get fined though so maybe tell him he will have to cover your fine as well since you'd rather him not be off school.

And yes dad will need to be the £60 per person fine so will cost him £120

They won’t approve any absences due to holidays, I’ve said that he will have to pay the fine for each of us if there is one, if he does end up taking him

Problem is you will likely get fined too - I don’t think you can really stop him though, as he’s the other parent? Can you get him to give tou the amount of any possible fine now to “hold on account” for him, and repay to him if there is no fine?

Or suggest he takes him out for four days of the week, going into the weekend - this makes a fine less likely I think.

Both parents get fined for unauthorised absence so I would make him do all communication with the school & confirm that he will pay all fines issued to Both parents

It would be a no from me. I actually had it stated in our parent plan on divorce so my ex couldn’t do it.

It was on here that I read this so good chance it’s not even true 😂 but it has been said a few times every adult in the household gets fined. If there’s step parents involved then I’d do a quick check on that

Actually yes she can stop him if its outside the normal custody arrangements and/or its abroad.
If you have primary residence its completely up to you whether he goes or not @Fishandchips1980

In these circumstances a week off school will cause little detriment, and presumably your son will enjoy the holiday and benefit from spending time with his dad. I'd definitely let him go, although it's only fair he pays all the fine if you get one.

Yes this seems sensible, I will see if there is some sort of compromise with maybe going on a weekend so it’s not a whole week, plus make sure that the whole fine is covered (if there is one) I have also said that I’m not going to contact the school for him and it’s his responsibility to do that

Let him go if your son would enjoy it and benefit. Those school fines and rules are very unreasonable.
Let the dad deal with school before and after.

I'd say no. Assuming it is not something such as visiting family who live a distance away.

I don't agree with fines incidentally, think there should be a different sanction for persistent offenders.

Assuming attendance is otherwise good and he’s not struggling with school work, I don’t think a week off in year 5 is particularly damaging and holidays have lots of potential for learning and emotional growth.

Obviously, you’d need him to cover any fine you get, but I would also be concerned about it not setting a precedent. Because this is probably the last year you could do something like this without it having a more noticeable impact on learning. You haven’t given his reasons for wanting to go in school time - if they are just money related then I think you need to make it clear he won’t be able to do this when son gets to Y6/secondary school/GCSEs/whatever your cut off is. Have a discussion about how you’re going to manage schooling and the priority it should have so you’re both on the same page.

@User13579367337 it's def true. Well in Kent it is

Both mr blondes and I got fined £60 and together

My friend is split with the dad and they both got a fine as well

I meant adults in the household who aren’t the actual parents

I would but I’d tell him he has to pay both sets of fines

Can you put on record to the school that you are against it and use it as defence against any fine?

I would let him go he won't be missing anything detrimental at that age. there might not be a fine . Apparently it's the local council that decide and not the school , we took our son who was the same age off last January we didn't receive a fine .

I wouldn't. Both parents get fined and if for any reason a decision to prosecute is made, both parents get prosecuted and have to go through the court process.

No it's only parents. Not step who get fined @User13579367337

Let him go. Missing 1 week in year 5 isn't going to matter in the slightest. Whereas a holiday with your dad at 10 years old is something they will always remember.