To invoke the ‘otherwise’ option for school absence?

[KuanKaKu]

AIBU to send this letter in and request temporary de-registration?
WWYD if you are a Headteacher and received this?
Dear Headteacher,
I am writing to inform you that for the period xxx 2026 to xxx 2026 inclusive, my children, [Child’s Name(s)], will be receiving their education otherwise than at school, in accordance with Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which places the legal duty for securing a suitable education on me as the parent.
Section 7 states that:
“The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude, and to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”
During this period I will be exercising the “otherwise” option. As such, my children will not be attending school between these dates. You may therefore treat them as temporarily deregistered for this period, as their education is being lawfully provided by me.
This is not a permanent withdrawal. My intention is for them to return to school-based provision on xxx 2026.
For clarity:
Parents are the duty-holders under Education Act 1996 s.7 with the right to elect for education “otherwise”.
Elective Home Education does not require the school’s permission (DfE Elective Home Education Guidance, 2019).
Temporary periods of home education are legally valid where the parent is providing suitable education under s.7.
Compulsory school attendance requirements under s.444 apply only where the parent is relying on school attendance to discharge the s.7 duty, which is not the case during this period.
Please confirm receipt of this notification for your records.

So you want to go to Spain when it's less busy and cheaper?
If you want to deregister then re-register to do that, I suppose it's worth a try.

Apologies, thought it wouldn't show the whole quote

I am a home educator, and the need to travel outside of the school term times is one of the factors that influenced our decision to do so.

However, in registering your children with the school, you have agreed to their terms. Arguing that you now disagree and want to stage a protest effectively, just for a holiday, makes you look very foolish.

This said as someone who absolutely believes that education does not have to take place in a classroom, Monday-Friday.

You are simply trying to pick and choose which rules should apply to you, but when you registered, you have already agreed to follow all their rules.

public voice and opinion on the matter is not being fairly heard! The number of petitions started on school absence in term time clearly evidences there is a high level of demand for a changes to the current system

Where are the multitudes of unheard when you need them, eh?

You can deregister your child & go on holiday. You can reapply for their place on your return. If it is available, you will be offered it. There is no mechanism to 'reserve' it so it is available on your return. You have to just take your chances. The likelihood that it will be available will depend on local demand for places and how long you are away for.
Schools decide whether or not absence is authorised. School attendance policies will not stipulate that a family holiday should be recorded as authorised offsite education. If your child remains on roll the school will record their absence according to their policy and the current legal framework.
If you want the law changed regarding attendance you need to campaign for it. You and lots of others may didagree with the current situation, but until any changes are made the current framework will apply.

There are rules regarding that though. The parents have to be "travelling for occupational purposes"

Amazing what some parents who don’t try and not pay a fine

own it if you take them out on holiday

as if you are ‘home schooling’ your children these dates - they won’t be going away on holiday

if you play games with your school , they are likely to give your child’s place to whoever is on the waiting list

I actually know someone who did this. To go travelling for 6 weeks then come back again. They lost the place. It had been filled by another child. Remember you choose to do this, you may lose the space.

Also, failing to listen to the multitude of people that are correctly pointing out that you can of course de-register, it’s just that you can’t guarantee your place will still be available on your return, isn’t making you or your argument look as clever as you seem to think.

You are correct, flexi schooling would be wonderful. But does not suit the current system. In fact I think it probably only fits a one to one system. So best hire a governess and tutors.

Amazing what some parents who don’t try and not pay a fine

That's not a sentence.

If you are the parent of a child with SEND and wanting to deregister due to autistic burnout or similar then I recommend looking up your local council's SENDIASS service, type that into Google and you can make your enquiry with them direct, they are knowledgeable about the law on attendance and reasonable adjustments. There are lots of options before you look to deregister and home educate and lose your school place.

You can't deregister temporarily, deregistering is intended to be a permanent move.

From the internet:

If you’re unsure whether you wish to home educate your child long-term, you may consider temporarily deregistering them from school, although according to the Department for Education (DfE): “There is no provision in law for a ‘trial period’ of home education”.

The process would be the same as deregistering your child permanently, but be aware:

Your child’s school cannot hold their school place. If your child currently attends a fully-subscribed school, once they’re deregistered you may not be able to get them a place back at the same school.

If you wish to re-register your child at school after a period of time, your LA will allocate them a school place, but it may not be one of your preferred choices.

You’ll lose access to school apps and resources unless you can come to an arrangement directly with the school’s headteacher.

You want your cake and to eat it too.

You are legally able to deregister. You just may not have a place to return to. The council will find you one somewhere though. Just don’t moan about where you get given.

Don’t be a clown. That would be karma if you found you couldn’t get your place back when you tried to re-register.

OP, you seem to think that the school system should be designed for the convenience of parents rather than in the best interests of the child.

School isn't just free childcare that you can dip into when you fancy it. If you don't want to be constrained by attendance expectations and term times, then you have the option to home educate.

This

Your selfish! Imagine if you had just moved to the area and were waiting on school places to be told “we actually have spaces but some kids have gone off travelling, so sorry we know we have capacity and you are waiting but we must hold this space open for when they have finished “making memories” and return” jog on and make a decision. Either go make your memories and face the conciquencies on return or don’t. You can’t have it both ways at someone elses expense!

You risk losing your place especially if the school has a waiting list for places like my area.

Brilliant point and why are 'we' (the non travelling community) accepting less favourable options?

Agree.

Doubtless countless people have thought of this already and been disappointed.

If you want to take your children out of school, you take them out and lose the place. If you want the place, you send them to school as required or face a fine.

I’m a single parent who works irregular shifts. I’d rather my child had the stability of a regular school day/week even if it makes my life more difficult logistically. I don’t agree that parents should be able to pull their children in and out of school at will - how is this fair on the rest of the class? Teachers are under enough pressure without having to deal with children constantly missing things and having to be caught up.

Stop making out that you are some kind of social warrior speaking for others. You want YOUR voice heard, it’s as simple as that.

Bloody hell, get a grip!

This. Angelina Jolie brought her children up this way - tutors travelling with the children, flexible schooling etc.

Of course with salaries / staff travel costs and living expenses, it probably cost her a million or so a year but I’m pretty sure the children had a brilliant education.

The rest of us who don’t have that sort of money (or even money for a private school which often will hold a place if the fees continue to be paid) have to deal with state school rules or actually homeschool (which is a lot harder than some people seem to think).

The travelling community are not entitled to this with no restrictions. There are certain conditions, otherwise they are subject to the exact same rules.