unauthorised absence

[rachelfryer]

Hi

We're thinking of a holiday in termtime which we've been refused permission for.

The holiday will be in February, just after our child turns 5. So technically she is still under legal school age as we understand it.

I've seen a few threads that say we cannot be fined but please can anyone give me a link to something which states this concretely as my partner is reluctant to take the risk unless we can be sure. We've emailed the authority but they haven't replied yet.

Also, as I understand it if a child is absent they don't have to provide a doctor's certificate or suchlike unless it's 10 sessions (ie 5 days) or more. Is this the case?

Is the fine £60 per parent per child irrespective of the length of absence and can parents be fined if the absence is less than 10 sessions?

Would be very grateful for any clarification anyone can offer.

Thanks

It's £60 per parent (even if parents are separated) but under 5 days is unlikely to get a fine. The legal age this is always miss used as once dc is registered at a school you accept the school's rules and can't play the "my child doesn't legally need to be here" card, although they're more likely to fine a yr 6 parent who constantly does this than a parent of a reception dc.

I've done it twice for 4 days each time when dd1 was in reception and then again when she was in year 4 and dtds were year 1. That was for visiting family in the States. I wouldn't do it just to make Butlins cheaper but many do.

School gets punished so will tell you not to.
I would ask my own school what the penalty regime is.