Not compulsory school age term time holiday

[Senners]

My child will start school next September 2024 and will turn 5 at the end of September so a few weeks after she starts. Am I right in thinking she's not compulsory school age until 1st January 2025 so I could take her out of school between September and December without a fine? Thinking of a short break in Nov, but not if there's a risk of fine. Thanks

We have some friends who homeschool. They take their holidays mid September when schools have gone back

Yes school is optional. Education is compulsory but there is no legal requirement for children to go to school.

So my child will be 5, but her first term after her bday will be January and we are thinking of going early December, so not CSA even though she is just turned 5

Fantastic, and the information you need to ensure consistency to the appropriate programmes and def expectations of reading have been linked.

I wish more parents were so proactive.

I take it you are only annoyed by 5+ aged kids on holiday? As even 4 year olds can still not have started reception if their birthday falls after August.

Gosh, 'not following the rules' is really triggering for Mumsnetters

I did it a few times. Now my son's at secondary, i wish i did it more tbh. Do what you want, its your child.

Lol BodegaSushi.

I’d go OP. As you said, you speak English. You sound conscientious. Your daughter sounds able. Of course you will be able to catch her up. You can’t be fined because she won’t be CSA yet.

Btw I know several private school teachers who take their reception/KS1 aged kids out of state school (in early July for example) because the holidays are different. So it does happen.

Could easily be Scottish resident as the cut off is the Feb not the August and it's pretty common for anyone after January to be deferred so I wouldn't assume stuff. Plus ages around 3/4/5 are pretty difficult to tell - a mature looking 1st September child will look school age when not in school.

Kids who should be in school. How is that hard to understand.

Well it pisses me and other holiday makers right off when we see kids who should be in school. We go out of school for a reason.
We do not want to see 8 year olds running riot when they should be in school.

Yes I had this conversation last week with someone in our hotel.

We choose to take our holidays out of school for a reason. Yet still some bratty kids are screaming around the pool.

@Mademetoxic YABVU. You are in public deal with it no parent should have to pay ££££ to please you. Sit by the quiet pool

Why should I when I choose to take my holiday out of school time?
These kids should be at school.

The hotel was just a bog standard hotel.

@Mademetoxic because others have paid for the holiday just like you. You don't get to dictate to others, unfortunately. You paid for your holiday just like them.

Yea op you are correct. Hou can't get a fine but Autumn term is the worst term to take them out really.

@Mademetoxic why don’t you just go to adult only resort?

How do you know they should be in school?

I took my 4 year old out for a week in December for family reasons (was a holiday but couldn’t go another time for a specific reason). I didn’t get fined or anything, we did some reading on holidays and nothing else. She is in Y4 now and it hasn’t damaged her education.
some very dramatic people on here! Just go ahead Op, your plans sound lovely.

Why can't the kids be at school?

I would be unreasonable to complain about kids when it's the summer holidays.

But now you're saying I'm unreasonable for complaining about children in the hotel when they should be at school?

Where is the logic?

@Mademetoxic why don’t you stay in adult only Hotels? Problem solved

@Mademetoxic who cares why they can’t be at school? It’s literally none of your business. Your surely not so self involved as to think a random child’s school attendance has any link what so ever to your holiday? Even if children didn’t. Miss school for holidays there would be children who are from places where they do have holiday, babies and toddlers, home schooled kids etc. You could literally just go to an adult only resort if it is that important you. Instead you choose to moan about it. Weird

I work with a school. No you won't be fined up to jan 25. Yes they will make it unauthorised and yes they may be unhappy with you.

And yes in the 'olden' days you could have up to ten days unauthorised before being fined. Providing your attendance was ok

Make sure you don’t miss the day when Christmas concert parts are decided! Your budding Mary / donkey / shepherd could be scarred for life!

Because how do you really know which kids should be in school? Is there a height limit that helps you judge? What about homeschoolers?