Term time holiday dates dilemma

[user657865337]

My DS started reception this year. We have booked a holiday for what we thought was October half term but it turns out we are actually due to fly out two days before term finishes eeek (apparently DH checked the 24/25 calendar rather than the 25/26 calendar hence the mistake). We can pay a fair few hundred to change the date but I’d really rather not. AIBU to call him in sick for the two days? What would you do?? If it makes a difference he turns 5 at the beginning of October

I have voted YABU but only because there is literally no reason to lie. Just tell them the truth. Nothing will happen - especially if your child isn't 5 yet. Your child will almost certainly drop you in it if you do, it's not a great example to him, school will also likely know you are lying and they won't care if you tell the truth.

Go, have a lovely time, don't give it anymore thought 🙂

He is not compulsory school age until the term after he turns five so spring term. So reception parents can take them out for as long as they like in autumn term. But as others have noted, you wouldn't be fined for two days anyway.

You only get fined for 5 consecutive days, not 2

Editing because the point I was making is fairly unique to my part of the world.

Don't lie to the school because it will just make it awkward if he tells them about the holiday and they realise that's why he went off early! This is not an uncommon occurrence and in fact about half my kids class disappeared the week before the Easter holidays this year because they were later than normal but parents booked holidays based on when they thought the school would be closed! Kids learn lots when they are on holiday anyway, and it is important to have family time too.

It’s a very poor example taking a child out of school but that’s your personal choice.

Thankfully none of the parents at DS’s school ever do it.

Bullshit

I wouldn't get 4 year old to lie. They aren't great at it - the first thing tell the teacher is that "mummy told to say I was ill when we went on holiday".

Just explain it's less than 5 days .
Hes only compulsory school age the term after he turns 5

Both points are factually correct.

Not everyone wants to disrupt schooling just to save a few hundred pounds.

No, one is an opinion, and the other one is crap.

The first point is demonstrably correct albeit won’t matter to some people.

The second is also true but probably not typical at most schools. We rejected our catchment and other local schools for this reason.

Joining a school where virtually all parents are fully engaged creates a very different environment for the children.

‘Gullible’ is what they call that. And no, the first one is an opinion, fact.

What is gullible about that?

Parents don’t all value education the same. Why would you not want to be mixed with like minded souls whether that be peers who prioritise schooling or those who want a discount break in Turkey?

As others have said don’t lie. Why is the first though to lie after making an honest mistake. Your kid might only be four but telling the truth, taking responsibility, owning up to a mistake and doing the right thing are important lessons both can learn.

Theres no point debating further with someone with such a small minded way of looking at things.

Just tell the school you’re going on holiday/away so your child will not be in school

If it’s then put down as unauthorised leave then so be it, not the end of the world

Why lie and say he’s unwell?

You haven’t debated anything. I have simply stated my preference and my circumstances. Both are accurate.

When I chose a school for my DS I was staggered how few people actually undertook any research into their options and just went for their local, often quite underwhelming, catchment school.

Surely both you and he noticed when booking annual leave and the holiday that you were booking to go midweek? You need to own that you did it to save a few hundred £££, not pretend it was completely an accident. They won't authorise it either way.

I thought it was 10 sessions in a 10 (12?) week period now, not necessarily consecutive. I was fined in May and looked up the new rules but I may be wrong.

It's 2 days. I had a child come in for the first day of term this autumn and has been off since because of a family holiday. Last year, I had a child start 2 weeks late because of a family holiday. I'm in KS2.

There's no point in lying because children always tell their teacher they're going on holiday 😉 Just tell them what you've said here about it being an error and that'll be the end of it. But don't lie.

It will be unauthorised but nothing will happen other than it will be recorded as an unauthorised holiday on the register. That's it.

Hes only compulsory school age the term after he turns 5

Once they are enrolled, attendance expectations are the same.

He only has to be in school the term after he turns 5. Which would be January.
but even so. It’s absolutely fine. He’s your kid! The school don’t own you.

our head teacher automatically authorises any absences for 4 year olds and 5 year olds who have turned 5 that term.

Don’t call in sick. Just sent an email to say he is going on holiday. You won’t be fined for 2 days.

Yes Term after he turns 5