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Original poster

I lied to school about children sickness and went on holiday

407 replies

kgabe · 31/10/2022 11:43

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

OP posts:
Delatron · 22/11/2022 20:09

It’s fine OP. Good for you for enabling your children to have a holiday. Really a few days isn’t going to make a difference to their education. I mean it was fine for them to miss months in lockdown..

Such drama on here! Ignore the lot of them.
I would also ignore the school. If they persist just reiterate they were ill.

People do it all the time. With the cost of living the way it is I’m sure it will happen more and more and I don’t blame people.

Glad you had a good time. Family holidays are worth it.

Delatron · 22/11/2022 20:10

All this ‘continuing to lie’ bollocks. It’s not a court of law FFS.

Estherrrrr · 25/11/2022 14:41

Saw this on dailymail and all the disgusting judgemental comments. You lied, big deal you didn’t murder anyone. You had a good time with your kids. I work in a school and soo many children are taken out for weeks at a time for holidays, yours were gone what 3 days? So what! Keep your head up, it’s not the end of the world, I guarantee they aren’t going to fail at life from missing a few days of primary school. Don’t worry💕

Nocutenamesleft · 27/11/2022 19:42

Epicstorm · 31/10/2022 12:47

I thought someone had challenged ‘holiday fines’ in the high court and won. Seem to remember that his child/children had excellent attendance otherwise and this was relevant to the case. Does anyone else remember this? Maybe there’s an update I don’t know about.

Yep. He took it to the high court and lost…..which is how we ended up that children must have by law 100% attendance.

Teachersdaughter · 28/11/2022 23:07

As the child of teachers I know how much seeing this happen can frustrate teachers for many reasons.

  1. a lot of people say they’re “teaching them about a different culture” and whilst this is the case you’re also teaching them to break the rules and your kids sound too young to understand why they are going on holiday whilst their friends are at school.
  2. it’s not a secret even if you think it is those kids before they went away and since they’re been back they’ve probably been talking to all their friends and possibly even the teacher about all the fun things they did.
  3. those teachers understand the money aspect more than everyone because you know they also often can’t afford to take their families abroad during the school holidays because they don’t get paid enough and they don’t get to take 3 days off school because it’s cheaper and if they did parents would be in uproar about their children not getting a proper education.

all these things spiral and it’s just another reason why so many people are leaving teaching and why there’s a National shortage of teachers

Scarsy · 22/09/2023 22:20

What did you do in end? Did you fill in the form or continue the lie? What was the outcome?

Nainnycardiff · 03/08/2025 09:22

My grandkids who are in primary school have a horrendous absence record one more than the other,the oldest one is always off and has been badly manipulated by her mother and despite calling the school and social services nothing is getting done. She lies about why they are off and yet the school doesn't ask for proof of doctors or dentist there is a lot more going on but I don't understand how the courts or the law side with the mother who believe you me is not a good mother ,the school is failing my grandchildren as well as the law and I feel I'm waiting for a I told you so incident waiting to happen

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