Time off during term time

[Hiits]

My daughter is in year 1 and February I would like her to spend 4 weeks in my home country, 1 week would be half term. So, all together she will need 3 weeks off. I am also seeking medical attention for an issue she has which the NHS can only mask, not solve which there I could pay to solve in my budget.

This is because I think it’s important for her to learn language and culture. Her grandad is very ill, hoping all is well with him then, I want her to spend time with him.

I say February as we are a 1 income house hold and financial only this time makes sense. My other kids are under 5. Also weather in our home country is the most suitable at this time.

I am a qualified teacher so I understand the importance of school, but I am very much of the mindset that culture and the invaluable experience you get by by visiting another country can not be taught at school. Especially when the other country is your parents home culture which you are being brought up in.

Before kids I worked in alternative education for the private section, so I am not fully aware how the government sector works now.

Just struggling with how to approach this with school and the repercussions. I am happy to pay a fine, that is not a problem. I was just thinking anything else.

If you're a teacher, how are you getting the time off?

It doesn’t say she’s working as a teacher, just that she is qualified as one - perhaps to reinforce the point that she knows the impact it will have on the school/class.

OP: if it’s legitimately for genuine medical reasons then I think it’s different, but only you know for sure what the situation is. 3 weeks is a very long time to miss, it’s almost 10% of the year. How do you propose to make up what is missed?

Having had a quick look, it seems that a child can be off rolled if they do not attend school for 20 days, other than for illness. Three weeks would not be 20 days, but if the half term break were to be included, it would certainly be very close. You’d need to check that your daughter would still have a school place on your return.

In any event, it would be unauthorised absence and would be over the threshold for a fine. Does it have to be that length of time?

I’d do it without a second thought, but we don’t get fined for absences and generally schools seem a bit more accommodating particularly when there’s good reason for absence.

Just off roll her. It will be easier for you and the school.
in state schools in England (don’t know about rest of the UK) it’s not down to the schools discretion, it’s down to the LEA (local education authority). The LEA will almost certainly refuse permission unless you can provide evidence that your daughter’s health condition can only be managed over seas, even then I suspect you’ll have a battle on your hands. So either pay the fine, or off roll. (Personally I’d take the risk of off rolling, but might be worth seeing if your school is over subscribed first).
If you attempt to get permission just put your daughter’s medical condition as the only factor, if you list all the reasons you have in your OP, it ‘dilutes’ your argument. I’m sorry you have a terminally ill parent, it really does suck, but believe me the LEA wont give a shite about that (or at least they won’t grant a fortnight’s absence), nor are they likely to care if you mention the culture relevance (You might swing it, if it’s a very well known religious festival / event, ie a pilgrimage to Mecca, but even then I think you’d meet resistance, and again unlikely to be granted two weeks leave).

If just do it. Dont ask permission, just tell them she will be absent. She’s in year 1 and the trip is important. Just do it.the school are unlikely to care even if they formally have to say they can’t authorise it.

It’s year 1 - a bit of reading, basic sums and writing practice. I’d do it OP.

Do not off role as the place may be offered on.

Provide some evidence of her medical need and school may authorise some of the absence for that. They can then authorise some time if you provide evidence of Grandad's health.

They can decide not to authorise some and still keep it below the level to refer to a fine. It is based on the specifics of the situation. Worse case scenario would be a fine. Just be honest with school

Your reasons for wanting to go are valid, and if I were you I’d do it. Is it going to a one off though? If you think you might do it again, or your child is one that really needs to be in school to be able to keep up, then three weeks is a problem imo. It isn’t right to use the state system but then take away their chance of doing their best by your child because sadly teachers are judged on the capabilities of the children they teach, and it’s a fact that attendance affects outcomes.

No-one refuted that travel and experiencing other cultures is valuable. But there are 13 weeks a year to do that in school holidays. So it doesn’t float as a reason to miss formal education. You say you can’t afford to go in school holiday time, but that you can afford healthcare abroad???

You mention a medical need but then say you want to visit family and for her to learn the language, plus money is tight. Be prepared to pay a fine unless you can produce medical evidence.

Wasn't there a thread recently where someone ended up in court for taking their children out of school for 3 weeks?