I lied to school about children sickness and went on holiday

[kgabe]

So before anyone decides to go hard on me, I have never ever lied about kids sickness before. I don't know why I did it this time, I guess money is tight, we worked hard to be able to afford the holiday, but still could not afford the holiday in half term, so we decided to take kids out of school for 3 days. I reported my children to have sickness. And off we went.
But unsure why, probably based on their hunch, school called me the next day. I did not answer, just sent them a message instead. But they replied they got an international ringing tone....ooops... i did not even reply to that. When we got back I got a letter suggesting I lied, that kids were on holiday instead of home poorly, etc. I don't know what to do, I hate lying and I regret not telling the truth, but has it gone too far now to just admit I lied? I can also expect the fine for my children, well tough I suppose. But I feel like a criminal, like I did something unspeakable. But I only allowed for my family to have a wonderful time together, we has such a great time, it is really priceless. My kids are both doing great academically and their abscence was above 95%. What is everyone's take on it? Should I own up now? Or deny it still.... And are they allowed to question my children without my permission about it?
Thank you

Yes, I was abroad. The children were at home with their dad. Did you try to call him?

The reason people lie is to avoid a fine. You're not going to be fined anyway, so just admit it (or not, but they know you're lying!) and move on. No drama needed.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news Ladies BUT there is such a thing as an international phone ring and it is hotly being utilised by all companies not just educational institutions at the moment due to people not returning to work since Covid - i.e. continuing to work abroad and therefore in contravention of tax laws.

Thats wrong information and entirely dependent on the authority issuing the penalty notice.

I’ve taken my eldest out multiple times for 1-3 days for holidays and once for a whole week. I’ve always just told them we are going away.
minder 5 consecutive days I believe you won’t get fined. When we went for the whole week I got a letter from my partners employer to state they had stipulated his holidays, and the school authorised it. All the other times it has been unauthorised. But I accept that.
i don’t understand why you lied, at all. I’ve never even considered it. I’ve just told them and got on with it!

If you ring someone who is abroad the ring is totally different.
Ps- I work in a primary school

Not always. Sometimes some people have a fear of actually telling the school they are going on holiday in case they get a frosty reception. In reality though the school just want to know your child is safe and there's nothing the school can do other than inform you there's a fine which is sent by the council anyway. I don't think it's the thought of paying £60!

Oh we get hunches! And we do ring. We have to make sure the child is safe and there are no safeguarding issues. We can’t just assume people are on holiday

I would ignore it and not worry, you did nothing wrong. The school is being too intrusive.

Hi. I work in a primary school. Yes we get quite a few people who go on holiday and some lie, some don’t. We do phone and send messages- we can’t ever assume a child is on holiday. What if there was a safeguarding issue. Every child must be accounted for wherever they might be so yes we message and we ring till we get an answer.

If you're thinking of the John Platt vs Isle of Wight case, he lost in the Supreme Court so it is now case law that "regular" in the case of school attendance means every day.

Just be honest, you may get the fine, but school won’t vilify you.

In fact, when my students are off on unapproved holiday I secretly think, ‘good on you, wish I could do the same.’

Lesson learnt not to do it again. Attendance officers always have ways and means of finding these things out. More often than not the kids slip up.

School leaders are under a huge amount of pressure to improve attendance as it’s plummeted post pandemic nationally, it’s not personal 😊

Ignore them, they’re your kids and you’re not abusing or neglecting them! Tell the school to jog on

I work in a school office and it can be pretty obvious when people lie and go away. Also the children usually come back and tell everyone too. IMO it’s so much better for you to be honest and complete a holiday form. It probably will be unauthorised but so be it if that’s what ure choosing to do. It seems odd the school have sent u a letter about it though. I can’t see the school teachers pulling you at school about it.

well its lovely to see so many honest people that have never told a lie, however quality with family after these last few years of madness and sadness, would I tell a lie, well its a yes from me, pls dont beat yourself up, whats done is done, I hope you all had a fab time.

U was away kids were at home with dad. Bit much if u ask me. Your kids attendance is above 95%. It’s just the school not the police.

My son has chronic ear infection under the hospital for grommets has them 3 time a year between sept and Jan every year - he is also constantly being sent home for a sports injury so all sick and me and my partner just received a £60 fine each as he had 4 days off sick last term - and I now had to provide gp certificates for every absence he has so if you went on holiday and saved money you should expect To pay the fines. I wish my fine was after saving money on a family holiday!

All of this. This also happened to my friend they rang her on the last day of term and got an international dialtone. It ruined her holiday as they left her a voicemail. She just never mentioned it again. After the Covid debacle I can’t take these rules seriously anymore.

DD's friend was "sick" for a week and came back with a sun tan!
I have to admit, I almost admire the sheer brazenness/chutzpah.
I'm also not sure they did miss as much as school would have you believe (I work in education and if you are talking "culture capital" then holidays and trips away should not be as demonised as they are, but I recognise I am possibly a lone voice.

School seem ott, however just tell them you lied and that you were concerned about fine due to cost of living. Most schools will understand and also you don’t get fined if it’s less than 5 days so no worry on that front. You will laugh about this soon try not to worry!

I honestly think you should just ignore them

Nope this is a thing. The secretary at our school always recognised international tone.

slightly besides the point of the thread but I think you only get fined if they miss 5 consecutive days or maybe that’s just in my LA

I’m school attendance. You shouldn’t be fined for 3 days. Check your school’s attendance policy, it should be on the website. In my LEA you only get fined if attendance is below 90% or regardless of % you take more than 10 days.

I'm a teacher and I think it's fine as I know money is tight and holidays are beneficial.
I'm jealous I can't do it.