Kids missed 3wks school, council taking me to court!

[Questionairballoon]

Hi all,

I am very unsure about what to do.

DC aged 6 and 8. I took them on holiday this summer. missed the last 3 weeks of school (July 2025).

For context, their attendance is always good. Only time they ever miss school is when poorly. They enjoy going. Last time we took them on holiday they were 3 and 5 and they missed maybe 2 weeks of nursery/school.

Before we left this time, I emailed the head teacher and spoke with the staff partly to apologise and also to find out what they might miss for the last 3 weeks so I could cover with them if needed. For what it’s worth, both kids do well in school. Teachers wished us happy hols and we left on a positive note.

The holiday was 2 weeks in Europe and 2 weeks in America. They had some fantastic experiences and got to meet relatives who live abroad. We were back in August, they had almost a month to recoup and then back to school business as usual!

We expected a fine but got nothing. This week, I’ve received a court order telling me to expect paperwork where I’ll be “pleading guilty or not guilty”.

I’m gobsmacked tbh. Has anyone been in this situation? Any advice at all? I don’t even know what to say!

Completely agree! I live in Scotland and it’s so much more relaxed here about taking children out of school for holiday’s term time.. unless it’s a regular occurrence of course. I’m completely gobsmacked over some of the responses on here!

Other people stating that on your behalf.
I'm glad you don't. Please take advice from those offering reason who understand these processes. I'm afraid some people would see you launch a campaign. You will do what's best for your children. Take advice. Accept judges. Please don't overworry. As a poster has said you will likely not attend court and accepting responsibility will mean any fine is in the lesser bracket. No court will send you away or impose the highest penalty of fine if you are accepting of the situation. I really hope you get good advice. I think you will be reassured by the paperwork.
There are much bigger things the magistrates will have on. But accepting you should have gone about it differently will do you only good.

Op I don’t know ANYONE at all that has taken their children out for 3 weeks, this is very unusual and I’m surprised that your school didn’t advise you against this more. Or didn’t your parent friends express surprise at your decision?!!

That's a leap and a half and a lot of unsubstantiated claims.
Where else has fines for one off holidays? Does the rest of Europe or America for example have enormous issues with FGM because they don't have fines?
Load of hyperbole. There's plenty of space for a bit of flexibility. Plenty of other places manage just fine.

If she’s found guilty at court she will have a criminal record (sorry op).

@Questionairballoon I also am surprised you have a court date but as the link that the 1st poster put up shows the options are a parenting order, community order, jail or a fine. I highly suspect and hope that you will just get a fine.

i also am of the view that a few days at the end of term to go away won’t damage the children’s education. My child is not in school yet but I understand the thought process of the fine being cheaper than the holiday but I suppose they have to draw the line somewhere and some of these rules are in place to help children and families who are struggling where safeguarding is a genuine issue.

I suspect most of the negative posts are from people who find it unfair that they play by the rules and don’t get to have a cheaper holiday or see family or whatever they could be doing when they’re sending their kids to school only for someone who has not played by the rules to then complain about having repercussions. I’m not saying I an agree with criminalising taking your kids out of school (especially when you can just homeschool them with very little oversight)but I do understand other people’s frustrations. The rules and consequences are clear and transparent. You’ve broken them and unfortunately need to deal with the consequences. Citizens advice have a list of lawyers that offer free or pro bono legal aid / advice so if you want to get more info or help for the actual court date that would be a good place to start. Good luck🤍

Next time take them only for up to a week and say they're sick.
Never ever admit that you're going on a holiday. The lady who did it in my school, because she wanted to be honest, had to pay a fine. Other people, who said their kids were off sick, were all right.

In my experience this won't apply to you if you're separated. You can't stop him. Just make it clear to the school that you're separated and you don't agree with the holiday.

Erm, that’s not how it works

Really clear and rational.

Yip. I didn’t know til it was too late. And I got fined along with him. Which I feel is grossly unfair.

I'm a Brit living in Ireland and here, they don't fine parents for taking their kids out of school during term-time, or take them to court. But after 20 days' absence, the school is obliged to report to TUSLA, the Irish child protection agency. And we would never take our son out of school during term time when there are plenty of school holidays!

Are you sure?? I've never heard of a case of a parent being prosecuted.

@TFICoffeetime

Maybe it will make other parents that have the financial means to go on long expensive vacations realise that these rules are for everyone.

But that’s exactly the point, they’re not the same rules for everyone, are they? 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you live in NI, Scotland or Wales, the rules around school attendance are different and far more flexible.

If your children go to a Private school, the rules don’t apply there either. So as usual, wealthy parents can do what they like.

If you choose to home school your kids, the rules don’t apply.

So essentially, it’s the children from poorer families that are being targeted by these rules and Labour should look at scrapping them.

I was actually divorced, and I got fined along with him.

you’ve edited your post and now my comment looks as if it doesn’t make sense.

No wonder home schooling rates are rising.

I agree that it’s disruptive to take kids out of school for long periods but a criminal record?

It just hits a sour note in the mouth that the state has more control over your children than you do.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Yes, it is! You could have probably challenged it.

I know someone who lost his job due to the criminal record. The kid was a school refuser, nothing to do with trying to save a few quid on a holiday.

OP is actually the first person I’ve heard of that has chosen to take her kids out for 3 solid weeks for a holiday so that’s probably why it’s uncommon.

Education is important. three weeks is not acceptable for most people.

😅😅😅 Sorry! I'm not sure what happened there. Was replying to someone else! It makes perfect sense to me.

I live I Scotland and appalled at the lax attitude to school here. About 20% of the kids in my kids class don’t turn up on any given day because the parents are too lazy to get them out of bed. Half the class turn up after the doors have shut to start morning lessons. It’s just appalling. So entitled. Terrible parenting. And so disruptive to the rest of the class.

Sorry, I meant to reply to someone who said private school parents get prosecuted - I don't think this is correct.

Sorry I don't think someone who has taken children to two different continents and Disneyland is from the poorest in our country. I don't think OP is even saying that.
You says it's not the same. Of course we are not the same as other countries. In the family court by the way, only Scotland different. So.goof to know facts.
Also yes believe it or not in the courts cases are taken by concerned heads in private schools too.
Please don't advise someone when you don't know those systems you are advising on
Share your views but misinformation is not helpful.

I did. It was rejected.

but it was back in the days of the fine being smaller - as I said I can’t remember but it was £50 or £60 quid.