Absence approved to view new school?

[Andyburnhamseyelashes]

Does anyone know the chances of having an absence approved to view a new school? My son is in Y8 at a state school and for a variety of reasons we are looking to move him to a private one on a scholarship. He's been offered a taster day next week. He knows the financial consequences of it being unapproved. Please no comments about "if we you can afford £000s for private school fees, surely you can afford this"; our situation is not that straightforward.

Will you get fined just for one day? When we did it was marked in the register as 'educated off site' or similar. New school made a quick call to old school to confirm they were there and to request it being recorded in the register as such.

We had two full days approved for a taster day and audition day for two different specialist music schools from a state secondary school. They just asked for the letters inviting DD - but I guess every school is different

Unless his attendance is utterly shit, no one will fine you for a missed day. No need to ask for permission, just tell him he will be off and why. I suppose technically, it could be considered as educated off site as it's a tester day, but don't stress too much.

I would expect the head to be able to authorise this under the "educated offsite" category. Although you would need clarify this with the school. As the child will still be in education that day, you shouldn't be fined.

Many authorities also require a certain number of sessions to be missed before a fine is given, and one day is unlikely to breach this limit. Again, this closes vary by authority, however I would expect you to not have a significant issue.

There is a mark that can be used on the register for an interview. If going to look at another school, it can be used and will authorise the absence. If the school won't use it, one unauthorised absence wouldn't mean a fine.

You wouldn’t be fined for one day off even if it is unauthorised.

They might be able to make it as something other than absent though. I think when my ds had a day off for his entrance exam it was counted as ‘educational activity off site’ or something like that.

You won't be fined for 1 day, authorised or not.

Let school know he won't be on, and why. It will be good (I initially wrote fine, but realised that perhaps wasn't the best word to use given the subject)

Thank you everybody who has responded, I didn't realise there was an 'educated off site' category. That's super useful!