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Original poster

Holidays re booked because of Covid in term time

24 replies

LifesTooShortYOLO · 22/06/2021 10:09

So we have two holidays that have been re re re re booked 😂 One abroad and one uk break, one meant to happen in 2020 and the other just before the last lockdown this year. They e been moved 3 times now 🤦🏻‍♀️
My Dd starts school in September he just turned 4 this month.
My plan is to ask/inform the school that we have these breaks now booked for December this year and February next year but I'm really worried how they will react. I mean they aren't going to have a party about it are they but with everything that's gone on I was hoping they may be a bit understanding? I don't know how best to word it?
I don't know whether to let them know once he's started on sept or now?
Any help or anyone who's been in this situation greatly appreciated 😊
Thank you

OP posts:
Kentuki · 22/06/2021 10:11

Let them know just before you go. Don’t worry about it at all. He’s not of legal school age so they won’t mind or care.

Mindymomo · 22/06/2021 10:13

Unfortunately I don’t think the School will be sympathetic and let your child have both these holidays. Is there a holiday policy on their website. I would contact them now, so you know what your position is.

Notnastypasty · 22/06/2021 10:21

Just let them know a couple of weeks before you’re due to go. It may be frowned upon but they’re very unlikely to do anything about it, especially in Reception. They won’t be missing much! Enjoy your holidays.

Ducksurprise · 22/06/2021 10:23

They can't fine you until the term after he is 5, and it really doesn't matter. Looking back I wish I'd taken my kids out more during primary.

TempsPerdu · 22/06/2021 10:36

I’m a former primary teacher. Unfortunately it’s quite likely that the school won’t be sympathetic to any term-time holiday requests as even in the light of Covid many are concerned about their attendance figures and the idea of setting a precedent.

But in all honesty I’d still go. After the year we’ve all had any chance of a family break is important, and as long as your DS is there at the start for transition and is fully settled he is unlikely to miss out on much. As pp says you can’t be fined until he turns 5.

DD doesn’t start Reception till 2022 but post-Covid, with many children having been denied access to school for extended periods, I wouldn’t have any qualms whatsoever about taking her out for a term-time holiday. Many of my friends with school-aged children, who would never have considered it before, now feel the same.

DistrictCommissioner · 22/06/2021 10:38

He isn't legal school age until Easter 2022, so they can't fine you anyway.

omegabetaxx · 22/06/2021 10:53

She will be in compulsory school age after the term she turned 5. If she turns 5 next June, her legal school term starts at Sep next year in England.

TempsPerdu · 22/06/2021 11:01

Just noticed it was a DD not a DS - sorry, pre-morning coffee! Blush

HSHorror · 22/06/2021 11:02

My dc are unfortunately missing the last 3d of this term due to this. It's rubbish as school usually have inset those days or at least some of them. But they also do dvds so

cocoloco987 · 22/06/2021 11:03

There is absolutely nothing the school can do. Your dc doesn't need to legally be in education til next school year and in reception, especially after the time we've had, a family holiday is just as important as formal schooling especially with engaged and supportive parents. Just tell them to truth. No need to tell them now just let them know at the start of the winter term (after October break)

yeahdarling · 22/06/2021 11:14

You should go. Wish sxhool staff could.

Ugzbugz · 23/06/2021 21:41

I would just email saying he's sick if need be. Not sure how anyone can refuse time off ever again after the last year.

mummyh2016 · 23/06/2021 21:51

They can't authorise it however school isn't mandatory until the term after he turns 5 so you can't be fined. I wouldn't lie though.

Katie517 · 23/06/2021 23:32

Given that reports today say 1 in 10 children are now isolating because of being a “covid contact” I don’t think the school have a leg to stand on when it comes to parents taking children out on holidays. If they cared that much about attendance they would have a better system in place rather than isolating whole year groups at a time! If the worst comes to the worst just say she is sick!

flumposie · 24/06/2021 00:02

The systems in place come from the dfe not schools!

justwanttodanceagain · 24/06/2021 00:18

Make sure you have travel insurance that covers needing to quarantine in the country you are going to for the non-UK trip.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 24/06/2021 07:19

@Katie517

Given that reports today say 1 in 10 children are now isolating because of being a “covid contact” I don’t think the school have a leg to stand on when it comes to parents taking children out on holidays. If they cared that much about attendance they would have a better system in place rather than isolating whole year groups at a time! If the worst comes to the worst just say she is sick!
Holidays and isolating in a pandemic simply can’t be compared. Plus teachers set work to continue during isolation so no loss of education.
wherethewildthingis · 24/06/2021 07:26

I would just go. We have done a few pre covid holidays which have eaten into term time. I just informed the school and didn't even give a suggestion that I was asking permission. This has only been a thing in the last ten years or so. Before that it was entirely normal to just take your kids on holiday when you wanted.

Timeturnerplease · 24/06/2021 07:29

Term time holiday, sickness and covid isolation policies are set by the LA/MAT/DFE and (in the case of positive covid cases) PHE. If ‘the school’ were to fine for this - and they won’t, for an under five - it’s not them being awkward, they are accountable for attendance figures. Yes, even in the middle of a pandemic.

BiggerBoat1 · 24/06/2021 07:32

He's only four. Go. Enjoy your holiday.

Abraxan · 24/06/2021 07:34

I teach and although it won't likely be authorised, I'd still go.

Our LEA, not school, fines on day 5 usually though have been more hit and miss with that this last year (sometimes more leeway)

Also if he isn't 5 yet then you may well be exempt anyway.

Just don't ask school for work to do whilst away etc, but do try and do a bit of reading each day between you.

CupOfTPlease · 24/06/2021 07:40

@Ducksurprise

They can't fine you until the term after he is 5, and it really doesn't matter. Looking back I wish I'd taken my kids out more during primary.
I didn't know this! That's interesting.
TankFlyBoss · 24/06/2021 08:15

Hello, education welfare officer here. Your child isn't of compulsory school age until September 2022, as that is the term after his 5th birthday. I would take the holiday. The school may mark it as unauthorised, but really that will make no difference to you. It's not the school that fines, it's the local authority, and you won't receive a fine for this as he does not have to be in school due to being below statutory school age. I would go on the holiday.

Alpacalove · 24/06/2021 14:16

Under 5 doesn't legally have to so I'd go :) but we have a holiday booked for our 5 year old in a Couple of weeks. It's not been authorised and wasn't approved but we are going anyway... I just don't know if I should email the school to remind them the dates and say he won't be in or will that cause more issues? Hes our first school aged child so not really sure the situation on this?!

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