School Holiday fine question

[sthitch]

My child was 5 in September and has recently started school. We're looking to book a weeks holiday in December but the school has said it will record it as unauthorised leave, but we're struggling to find out if that means we would face a fine or not? I've read lots of different information, some suggesting as she has started school, it means the school rules apply, but others that she doesn't legally have to go until jan. Does anyone actually know what the score is?

It will be recorded unauthorised, some councils are stricter on fines than others.
You are in school and age 5 so compulsory age so can be fined.
So you may or may not be fined.

personally I would never take DCs out of school during term time (unless I really had too!) especially during their first year! And in December when there are always things that they will miss! consider that too and the impact on their schooling as well.

I agree with previous poster. Won't she miss the nativity and all that, and making cards and fun stuff ?

You cannot be fined until it’s 10 consecutive sessions unauthorised so take 4 days holiday and one sick

Our specific council generally fines, but hasn't so recently due to Covid. They are bringing it back though so are more likely to get a fine than say last year.

Be aware they usual fine twice, one fine for each parent.

Oh forgot to add, our council fines for a weeks absence but not less.

Compulsary school age is the term after they turn five. So while they will mark it as unauthorised (as they have to) it won't make any difference to you.

So starting in January you could be fined. Not all LAs fine in the same way. Mine rarely does for holidays.

Tbh I'd just factor in potential fines into holiday costs.

She can't be find as compulsory age is the term AFTER you are five.

Go for it OP!!

Compulsory school age is the start of the term after their fifth birthday. They may threaten fines or record it as unauthorised, but legally they cannot fine you if the child is not yet compulsory school age.

Thanks all, this is what we seem to get 50/50 fines/no fine but there is no way of contacting the team that deal with this at our local authority to confirm, but I can't see how they can fine is she is legally under the age?!

Every local authority treats things differently, Id just factor a fine into your budget - if you don't get fined, great.

Although I agree with PPs, they do a lot of fun stuff in December, shame to miss out. Mine are towards the end of their school careers now and I don't think we've ever taken them out in term time (apart from when we got stuck abroad due to the Icelandic ash cloud - out of our control!).

They do loads of fun things in December - don’t do it then.
wait til Jan.