To take my kids out of school for three weeks

[scratchingheads]

We have an incredible opportunity for a once in a lifetime trip with family next year. It would mean taking my kids out of school for three weeks. They are 4 (reception) and 5 (year one).

It would be one week at end of term and two weeks at beginning of the next term.

Has anyone done this, what are the chances of the school going for it, and what else do I need to consider?

I’m curious what the trip is. Can you say anything without being outing?

I would say just be aware op that the school will likely not be able to authorise it so there would be a fine. Also depending on other factors like the gender of your children and your heritage/ the country you're traveling to this may also be looked at as a potential safeguarding concern re fgm.

Think most reasonable parents would say no real harm at that age but - are you kidding yourselves about the value of a trip they’re not likely to remember at that age?

In an oversubscribed school our LA would give away the place.

Does their policy allow them to off roll a child after 30 sessions of absence? Seems unlikely?

Wholeheartedly this! I’d pay the fine because I’m all for doing the right legal thing. But at this young age particularly I’d promote life-enhancing experiences over a couple of weeks in a classroom absolutely.

I know my five year old has learned an incredible amount in the four months he’s been at school. Absolutely loads. And I don’t think for a moment I could replicate that at home. Taking him out for nearly a month would mean he was hugely behind. I know some people home school and do it well but most of us can’t do that.

He isn’t sat in a classroom for years on end. He is in school for six hours a day; in that time he has free play with friends, structured play led by the teacher, time outdoors, and of course for the rest of the day / weekends / holidays. I actually think there are years where three weeks out of school probably wouldn’t make a huge amount of difference, but at this stage, it does.

School won't authorise it. But that's fine, it's only really matters to the school whether absence is authorised or not.

Don't lie about going on holiday. A long absence will trigger the child missing from education process which is a lot of work for school staff, so they will appreciate you being honest and providing copies of flight details if they ask.

However that is a long absence and you may be looking at being taken to court about it. I'm not an expert on the trigger points but currently 10 days in a rolling period is the point at which court action can be authorised.

Please speak to the attendance team about the implications before you book anything.

Really really depends what It is and tbh the attendance rate at your school. My siblings children were authorised for cultural experiences related to their heritage for example. Visiting family a long way away maybe.

probaly unlikely if you’re just on a cool holiday

My son is in year 1 and his attendance so far this year is less than 60% and it has not held him back in the slightest - I really wouldn’t worry about harming their education in the slightest as a one off. The school won’t authorise the absence but you won’t get fined for your 4 year old - just your 5 year old.

It really makes me so cross when people say missing school doesn’t matter because they’re young, like the work of an early years teacher is meaningless. Some of the largest amount of learning of the child’s school career happens in early years. They’re building the foundations for the rest of their life long learning.

It doesn’t make me cross, it just perplexes me.

’Yeah, they do nothing important; they are only … learning to read?’ 😂

Retired primary school teacher here with 44 years experience.
I've taught so many children over the years and I'm not against parents taking children out of school for a week's holiday, but three weeks interspersed with an end of term holiday is too long especially for the child in Year 1.
It definitely won't be authorised, but it's your life and whatever you decide to do, I hope you come to the right decision for everyone.

It won’t be authorised and you will need to pay a fine for the 5 yo but I would absolutely do it. They are so young it is not going to do them any harm missing school at this age.

I don’t think people are saying primary years teaching don’t matter, a bit of a jump to get to that from it being ok to miss a few weeks. Mine have missed more than that from bad bugs a few times
.

Also not British and find the focus on attendance unusual here.

Most countries in the world children seem to cope with missing some school here and there, especially for lifetime experiences. I missed 4 weeks in year 6 for a round the world trip and it was incredible! My siblings and I did very well at school and are well educated adults!

Do it if you want but the school can't authorise it so suck up the fine and no whinging about it

Have a good long look at what the Local Authority (and it is the local authority NOT the school) policy is for 3 weeks off - there are quite a few instances (including one on here) where a 3 week absence leads straight to court and prosecution (and it is in the rules to do so).

Absence laws are awful and prohibitive but it isn’t the school - there is nothing the school can do and even if you did lie that amount of absence would be flagged and unauthorised anyway so honesty is best.

then the school will send the register data to the relevant LA and they will decide how to proceed. Getting an idea of what they will do is key

2 weeks at beginning of term are crucial. Not just learning, but socially as well. It's a big deal for children, of all ages.

And don't kid yourself about how enriching life experiences you can give them at the age of 5/6. That's bullshit. They will barely remember it.

They will however remember struggling with school from the very beginning and spending a whole term catching up.

You need to weigh up the pros and cons.

once in a lifetime holiday would be a massive pro for doing it for some. For some the fine, time of school etc would outweigh the holiday joy.

Take into consideration all of the above and research the fine amount for the 5 year old. Personally for me with dc alone then once in a lifetime would have decided for me. But for my dc2 with sen, I'd be gutted but turning down holiday would be the choice.

Can you compromise and miss the last week of school which is pretty much fun times mixed with a bit of learning. But be back for the start of school when they'll be meeting new friends, new routines etc and more important? Or is it miss both or nothing?

Are you in England? If so, please read up on the rules. They changed not too long ago. There was another thread here as someone mentioned. They had taken their kids out of school for 3 weeks and it counted as 3 periods which meant that the parents received a date to be in court where they would face a criminal conviction and a 2.5K fine. It's no longer about just paying a fine unfortunately.

Here's where you can read about it: www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence/legal-action-to-enforce-school-attendance

Here's the thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5417392-kids-missed-3wks-school-council-taking-me-to-court.

There was also a follow-up one.

Id take them out. Work out what the rules are and how to minimise any of the LA penalties etc

Maybe 'home school' them and then move them back into school? Not all schools are over subscribed.

There was a thread not too long ago about someone being prosecuted for taking their children out at the end of term for too long. I think they were a social worker or similar and were worried about how that would impact their ability to work, so I would be prepared for that if you were to proceed

Go for it.
Life is too short.
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