Unauthorised absence for taking 4 year old out from school because my mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer

[ihila]

Recently, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo the radio hormonal treatment in another country. We wrote to the headteacher explaining the circumstances because we want to take 4 year old out of the school 5 days before the term finishes. We received the head teacher' response that she does not authorise the request as she does not think this is exceptional circumstance. In her own words: you have enough holidays (2 weeks) during the Christmas to see your mum and she is not approving it, and that's her decision. She does not have right to make decision like this as my daughter is not 5 years old yet. It looks like it is the school policy to unauthorise any request and the headteacher is not able to exercise the discretion. I am aware that I am not going to be fined as my child is not of compulsory age yet, but this is very hard time for us as a family and I do not understand why this is not regarded as a special circumstance.

Sorry - badly written and based on misreading. She does have the power to authorise (ie yes, she is right in that) but she can authorise for non-holiday absences in exactly the same way as she could before the rule-change (which altered the wording icw holidays only, and I don't see how this could be regarded as a holiday).

It is wrong to threaten fines in regard of a pupil who has not reached statutory age.

You know, at this age, I would just go and see your mum, but have the money set aside to pay the fine, if it happens, so long as you follow through as meditrina has suggested. If there's evidence to be collected, collect it.

And for whoever said that cancer treatment isn't an uncommon thing, that may be so, but that does not lessen the worry of your own mother or grandmother being seriously ill.

This would come under exceptional circumstances and be an authorised absence at my school, no question. It is very much the HT's discretion and actually I am sue I read that recently there has been additional guidance to schools with making these kind of judgements as some HTs were being unnecessarily harsh about it.

Your child is 4y. They are at primary school. They are not undoing any formal, external assessments and exams. It will not have a detrimental affect on her education long term.

I wouldn't fret. Go and forget about the unauthorised absence. It is unlikely, ime, you would receive a fine anyway.

What difference would it make to anything if your child does receive unauthorised absences??

To the op I wouldn't stress about the school thing and just try to focus on your mum at this time.

Ny question wasn't aimed at the op sorry, I was just wondering what happens if a child has unauthorised absences.

Go to your mum OP. My mum also recently got diagnosed with breast cancer. I am utterly distraught . It's so sad HTs (have to?) send threats to people who are suffering like this. What a horrible society we have become. 4yo FGS .