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?

Whats the incredible opportunity?

The school won’t authorise it.

Depending on your local authority they could take you straight to court, ours state they will do if more than 15 days are missed, so you’d be ok, but they are all different. De registering then re registering your children could be an option if the school isn’t oversubscribed?

I think it’s a great opportunity to take them travelling and at them ages I wouldn’t worry about them missing too much, it’s just the chance of being taken to court/ getting a criminal record which would put me off.

They don’t have to issue a fixed penalty notice, they can take you straight to court. My local authority states they will take you straight to court if they miss over 15 days of school, which would result in a criminal record.

Go for it, and enjoy it. Be prepared to pay the fine. Don’t try and dress it up as some making memories bollocks.

I believe so - she seemed a bit unconcerned that the attendance levels were low overall.

No in that case don’t think they were

and I do know cases where attendance has been good and 3 weeks triggers it

it makes sense a fine happens after a week, 2 fines straight to prosecution so 3 weeks covers it all in one

or they may just fine it is difficult to predict

Regardless of fines, the experience is unlikely to have a massive benefit for children so young - they may well not even remember it in a few years time.

As for the loss of education, children that age frequently make huge strides at that age. Just because what they are learning seems basic a few years on doesn't mean it isn't important (and it's not solely academic either).

They get 13 weeks school holidays a year anyway, 14 if you include INSET days.