Day off - inform school? Helppp

[Anonnnn12]

DS is in reception and we have a weekend break coming up, he’ll miss one day of school so I thought instead of lying about him being ill I would just inform the school. They have said I need to fill in an absence form but on it it says absence won’t be granted for holiday leave which technically this is. Not sure what to do, do I fill in the form or just ignore it then call in sick on the day. He’s only 4 so I have read that they can’t do much about it because he’s not the legal age of 5. What do I do?

Your child is four so not compulsory school age, which means you do not need permission. The school office lady has misunderstood. The absence request for does not apply because you are not requesting an absence, you are informing the school that you’re taking one.

I would just email the school office the day before saying X will not be on school on Z date as we are on a trip. As X is not yet compulsory school age, no school permission is required. Please ensure the correct ‘attendance not required’ code is entered on the register.’

Are you sure about that? I thought once they’d started school even if they’re not 5 yet, the rules apply?
I’d just fill the form in anyway OP. They won’t care that he’s having 1 day off, they just aren’t allowed to authorise it officially.

Even when he is compulsory school age, the sentence saying he wouldn't be granted leave doesn't mean you couldn't take him, just that his absence would be unauthorized. You'd still be doing the right thing filling the form.

In our LA you can have up to 4.5 days of unauthorized absence before you get fined in practice. But it's definitely worth replying saying he is below compulsory school age.

Oh and always inform them, it's helpful for them to know rather than have to chase you up.