Hi all. I'm an education welfare officer meaning I work for the local authority to support and enforce school attendance and am responsible for making a final decision on when to issue a fine that a school has requested. I have commented on several threads today sorry I don't know how to link.
In brief
You absolutely cannot have your child's place withdrawn for lack of attendance or unauthorised absence. The law around removing children from a school roll is very strict however the 20 days absence one is a very common misconception and one we frequently have to challenge schools on.
I would advise you all to be honest with the school about why you want to keep your children off, and how long you may expect to do so. Then keep in touch. Many people suggest saying they have symptoms / are otherwise ill / isolating which in most cases would be accepted but we do have safeguarding responsibilities and do need to follow up by phone / sometimes a home visit so it is just so much easier and more pleasant all round if we can be honest on both sides. I have been advocating to schools on behalf of parents concerned about covid since September and I am far more likely to put my best effort into this on a parents behalf if I don't realise that someone has been dishonest. I would say to you all that the vast majority of schools and their staff are entirely reasonable and understanding and while they may not feel able to authorise absence they will at least understand your concerns . We are in the middle of a scary badly managed pandemic after all.
I would also suggest talking to your LA if the school appears unsupportive or won't authorise absence and you are ECV in your family. We are actually here to help despite not being liked much as a profession.
Re fines yes in theory it's possible. Much misconception about fines but they are actually an opportunity to pay a fixed penalty notice to avoid prosecution for the offence of non school attendance. So like a speeding fine it's an offer to pay a fine instead of prosecution. Anyone is free to make the decision not to pay and to go to court instead, to have your case heard by impartial magistrates.
Of course the prosecution costs us plenty of money and resources, we have to prove they are in the public interest and I doubt many unpaid fines at the height of a pandemic would probably be thought justifiable to prosecute. No guarantees obviously.
But if it was my child, and I was medically vulnerable and chose for them not to go to school and was then fined, I'd absolutely not pay and have my case heard in court if the LA managed to even get a prosecution approved and heard. That's what I'd do.
You all have to make the best decision for your family but please be honest with the school, talk to them and then talk to the LA.