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Holidays

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Original poster

Court - term time holiday :)

69 replies

MandsJH · 18/12/2014 21:17

I've got 2 boys. One in y5 and one in yr2

Eldest has had unauthorised absence for a week in oct 2010, feb 2012 and oct 2014.

Youngest 1 week in oct 2014.

Just got a letter saying they won't issue a penalty for oct 2014 as fines are a deterrent and we've had 2 previous penalties so it's going before the court.

Anybody else had this? What happens? Big fine? Surely not prison?!

Bad news as we have another week off school planned oct 2015 with £300 deposit paid.

And before you all think I'm not concerned for my boys education, that's not true.

They are both top of their class with perfect attendance other than these holidays. Plus they are never late, never disrupt the class.

OP posts:

ElizabethHoover · 19/12/2014 06:56

What if the parent took the kid out to just mess about at home?

ElizabethHoover · 19/12/2014 06:57

Kid not being "stretched" is nothing to do with it. I wouldn't send mine to an unsuitable school then take them out on holidays !

KatieKaye · 19/12/2014 07:04

Looks like you don't have any choice here. You're going to court and it would be very unreasonable to continue with plans to take them out of school again next year if you cannot afford both the holiday and fines.
You have to plan for the worst case scenario financially.

Starlightbright1 · 19/12/2014 07:12

Elizabeth..messing about at home costs no more term time than none term time..

I really can't be bothered about arguing on here. I had to fill out a request to take my child to the doctors the other day.. I filled out the form and it was authorised the day after he had been..I wasn't asking permission if my child needs the doctor he needs to go and as a parent that is my decision not anyone else's.

There are children who are losing a lot of education by not been in school regularly, they are the families that need the help and support to get there child an education.I don't see the change in law has done anything for these children

SunnaClausIsComingToTown · 19/12/2014 07:14

It's the government who made the law, not the school. If you break the law there are consequences.

Get caught breaking the speed limit 4 times and you get enough points to lose your licence. Take your children on holiday in term time enough times and you get taken to court and a big fine.

The law may be daft but you know the consequence of breaking it, so don't do it.

Groovee · 19/12/2014 07:14

It sounds like you are going to court because the fines which have been the consequence previously haven't worked. It's now law about holidays in term time. A friend booked her wedding prior to the changes and was authorised 5 days off not the full 2 weeks. So £120 fine despite it being law in the country they were marrying in, that they needed to be there for 5 days prior to the wedding.

Chandon · 19/12/2014 07:39

I wish everyone could take out 1 week at term time. Penalty free.

pieceofpurplesky · 19/12/2014 07:57

Chandon - imagine a class of 32 all taking one week of at different times. Each child needs catch up work and catch up time ... Then think of GCSE age and think how much is missed there!

Fairenuff · 19/12/2014 08:12

the travel and experiences have been priceless

If that's the case OP, then whatever the fine and court costs add up to, it will have been worth it.

Chandon · 19/12/2014 08:15

But not everyone would do it.

We would not.

And those that opt out for a week surely would not demand any kind of catch-up of extra help would they? Surely that is the consequence of their choice?

LightastheBreeze · 19/12/2014 08:15

My DS fortunately went to school before the laws on taking holidays came about and schools were able to authorise 10 days which we regularly used some of each year, usually tacking onto school holidays and definitely avoiding exam times.

I can't recall this affected my DS's education at all or any of his friends who were also taken out for holidays. So glad he is not at school now.

Sorry for this OP, five years ago it would have been OK.

pieceofpurplesky · 19/12/2014 08:21

Oh yes Chandon they do. The parents who take their kids out as "the experience is much more educational' always ask for work to be set or catch up to be given. At GCSE level there is no option but to catch up - more often than not after school. I am sure the educational experiences of an all inclusive resort in Spain teach the children a lot about the culture ... (Not saying that is what OP did but the majority of ours that miss school do!)

pieceofpurplesky · 19/12/2014 08:22

Light the system has changed with Controlled Assessments replacing coursework - each piece is done as an exam

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 19/12/2014 09:40

I'm surprised all your DCs do at school in the last week before half term is watch DVDs etc, certainly not the case in our school the week before half term is exactly like any other week. Do you ensure they aren't missing their assessment week? We aren't normally told when ours will be but I would certainly ask if I was booking a holiday. I can see an argument for the last week of winter and summer terms not being educationally necessary, ours this week have been in a whirl of parties, nativity plays, talent competitions, however the DCs love it and would hate to miss it.

Pooka · 19/12/2014 09:57

Making sure children comply with the school uniform policies and arrive on time isn't going above and beyond, nor is attending open days and volunteering. Most people do this as a matter of course, without expecting that by doing so they are acquiring kudos that would mean that disregarding the unauthorised absence policy is overlooked.

You can't pick and choose what school policies are relevant or not. I'm personally not mad keen on uniforms. Doesn't mean that I send my dcs to school without wearing the 'Approved' clothing. And you could argue that even if the kids weren't smartly dressed, at least they're present!

Our school doesn't wind down in the last week before half term or before Easter or Christmas.

ElizabethHoover · 19/12/2014 11:04

Most heads of good schiols insist kids work till the end.

bearwithspecs · 19/12/2014 19:24

Sadly rules are not consistent either. Seems very harsh to me if 100% the rest of the time. I know loads of people whose kids are off at the slightest sniffle - so way over a week per year

sashh · 31/12/2014 10:13

I know how much teacher time is diverted away from my kids by disruptive behaviour

Your children disrupt the class for 1 full week a year, don't you see that?

mummymeister · 02/01/2015 00:02

The problem with this new rule is not the rule per se but the fact that it is being enforced in totally different ways not just from county to county but from school to school. I have done a lot of research on this - one county has fined no one for unauthorised absences whilst others seem to fine at the drop of a hat.

Only you OP can decide the rights and wrongs of this. only you know from a family and financial point of view if the saving you make taking them out of school early is worth the grief of a fine/court appearance.

The issue of sustained and long term absences has altered little since this law came in. The child off one day a week for a sniffle - and yes I do know those children. one girl in my DD's infant/junior school never attended a full week in the 7 years she was there and is doing the same now in senior school with seemingly no consequences - is carrying on as before.

All schools are different. ours definitely wind down at the end of term. and this is the problem. one size does not and never will fit all.

I feel sorry for the OP. if she lived somewhere else in the country then she wouldn't even be being fined. How is that consistent or fair?

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