keeping primary kids home - best way to avoid a fine?

[dreamsofholidays]

Local primaries are open, I'm CV and don't trust this government to make sensible decisions about the safety of schools. In my assessment, the biggest risk to our family in the short-term is losing a parent rather than missing some weeks of school. But I would like to avoid the stress and expense of being fined - I get very anxious of being 'in trouble' with school! What's the best way to avoid a fine - do I (a) write to the head honestly (b) say household has covid symptoms and string that out for a bit or (c) something else? Also, how much would fines be - is it per child? Per day? Per week?

Speak to the school, explain your situation and concerns. They may be able to make allowances but please don't lie or pretend as that doesn't resolve anything

@Mykittensaremyfriends

Speak to the school, explain your situation and concerns. They may be able to make allowances but please don't lie or pretend as that doesn't resolve anything

Well, it would resolve being home without a fine, for the short-term at least!

I'd buy some time by saying you're isolating for 14 days. I suspect all schools will be closed after that anyway.

I’m not sure if the rules have changed since I left primary education last July, but if they’re the same and your child should be in school but you have chosen to keep them at home, you could be taken off the school’s roll. Court and a fine are some way down the road in my experience. It’s normally per child, per day.

Why not email the head teacher and ask what measures are being put in place to keep the children safe, explaining your concerns about being CV. I wouldn’t lie about having Covid symptoms. I always think lying about being ill is bad form.

You would have to ask your children to collude in the lie and that’s not great parenting.

Just something to be aware of, my ds is in an oversubscribed school and I was told that if he was away for 2 weeks or more unauthorised he would be at risk of losing his school space.

I think I would go with Covid symptoms for a couple of weeks and see how things unfold to be honest.

I would also say your kids are self isolating for 14 days. It's not a dreadful lie in the circumstances. See how things look in two weeks' time.

@FamilyOfAliens

You would have to ask your children to collude in the lie and that’s not great parenting.

Thanks all. Thought I'd add: I'm ok with lying in this context (and helping my kids understand why) - it would be a strategy for dealing with a dishonest and morally bankrupt government and education policy.

@SillyOldMummy

I would also say your kids are self isolating for 14 days. It's not a dreadful lie in the circumstances. See how things look in two weeks' time.

You must think the head teacher is very unintelligent for them to believe someone suddenly has to start isolating precisely at the point when their children have to be back in school.

And that no other parents will try the exact same thing.

It’s normally per child, per day.

It isn't. It's per child per period of absence. So if they're off for a day then yes you may be fined. But if they're off for five days - a period of absence - you'll still only be fined once. Most authorities only fine after a five or ten day period as long as attendance is usually good.

Thanks all. Thought I'd add: I'm ok with lying in this context (and helping my kids understand why) - it would be a strategy for dealing with a dishonest and morally bankrupt government and education policy.

So your justification for being dishonest and asking your DC to collude in your lie is that the government is dishonest?

Have a look at this: www.pilc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20121214-Notice-to-Parents-School-and-Local-Authorities-.pdf

You must think the head teacher is very unintelligent for them to believe someone suddenly has to start isolating precisely at the point when their children have to be back in school. And that no other parents will try the exact same thing.

I don't think head teachers are unintelligent, but it isn't a priority that they believe me, just that they don't feel they have to fine me / take our school places away. I imagine others might feel the same?

I have sent an email in explaining my reasons.

There was an education officer on another thread who said you cant be offrolled in 2 weeks. And that it was unlikely they'd try to take you to court.

I'm lying. DD won't need to collude in anything because I won't be telling her what I've said. I don't want to do it, and feel shit for doing it, but their school have been wholly unsupportive despite my disability so frankly I'm not going to lose too much sleep over it if it preserves their school places and keeps me out of hospital. The head will know I'm lying, but she can't do anything about it. I've got no better options.

@FamilyOfAliens

Thanks all. Thought I'd add: I'm ok with lying in this context (and helping my kids understand why) - it would be a strategy for dealing with a dishonest and morally bankrupt government and education policy.

So your justification for being dishonest and asking your DC to collude in your lie is that the government is dishonest?

No, it isn't a justification, its an explanation of why I might feel I have to be dishonest in this context as the lesser evil, and because I don't have the power to do anything else to protect us. I think protecting public health and families (and keeping a parent alive) are more important than being totally honest with school.

@HmmSureJan

It’s normally per child, per day.

It isn't. It's per child per period of absence. So if they're off for a day then yes you may be fined. But if they're off for five days - a period of absence - you'll still only be fined once. Most authorities only fine after a five or ten day period as long as attendance is usually good.

Apologies - our LA was per day. Otherwise it would encourage a parent to keep their child off longer if the fine was no different for one day than for ten.

i’m keeping my 6 year old home and i’ll be telling the school we’re all self isolating. not bothered if they believe me or not tbh. there were lots of cases in our primary school and lots of ‘bubbles’ having to isolate before christmas. i’m keeping him off for two weeks and then i’ll re-assess the situation (although i personally think given the situation all primary schools will be closed within two weeks anyway)

enterparentone thank you so much for posting that. CV here (more than one condition and older than most primary parents) and just can't send mine in (Tier 4) until I can see numbers going down and hospitals under less pressure... or if I ever manage to get a vaccine. It's a nightmare in every respect.

Im not happy lying personally , and did point out in my email that I had chosen honesty. However I am concerned about a fine. I heard it would only ly be issued once per absence so we wont have to keep being fined?

I don’t know about the fines but I believe you should do what’s best for you and your family. Only you can make that decision. I work in secondary and they are not safe or covid secure.

I'm CV but with multiple condotions too. So we acted as if ECV but don't have a shielding letter as "proof."

I think too if more of us are honest thehbwill have better statistics on those of us objecting.

All primary schools in London to be closed

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/01/all-primary-schools-in-london-to-remain-closed-after-u-turn?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other