How should I tell school about taking my child on holiday?

[iphammer]

Going on holiday towards the end of next week with my partner and our 2 boys aged 2 and 8.

My 8-year-old will miss a few days off school ( We fly back late afternoon Thursday 4th June)

This will be our first holiday abroad as a family of 4 and the first time I'm taking my 8-year-old out of school for a holiday

What do people usually do when it comes to notifying the school? I was thinking of emailing them this week to let them know he won't be back until the 8th ( some have told me to call in on the day to say he is sick)

That's the best thing to do. 4 days, if they have otherwise good attendance will make little difference.

Just email them the night before and tell them. They’ll send you a form to complete, don’t complete it. Nothing will happen. Have a nice holiday.

Ask for the form. Send it back . They decline request. You still go on holiday.

We sent a letter explaining about three weeks before we left. It was an unauthorised absence but the school didn't refer it to the LA for a fine and told us to have a lovely time. The letter was very apologetic. 😂

Ive taken my daughters out of school for a week once a year for the past 9 years. Most schools require one month prior notice, where you fill out a form with the details. I still have had to pay a fine for taking them out of school.
You should let the school know asap as its short notice to tell them one week before, you should go to the school as youl have to fill a form out

Personally I would ring and say he is poorly, holiday resorts can be rife with sickness bugs and things so its not unfeasible that you had a holiday then he got sick...
Ring outside of school hours and leave a message before they go back saying he is poorly with D&V so u will keep them off till 48hrs clear. Then ring each morning (ideally before school opens so u can leave a message rather than speak to someone so u dont feel put on the spot). Day one poorly with D&V, day 2 same. Day3 say seems to be getting better but obviously not 48h clear yet and day 4 say 24h clear now so will keep off today but all being well can come.back tomorrow...
Then return to school on friday x

This! We just filled out the form, it wasn’t authorised and off we went. Her teacher was very clear that she didn’t mind it at all but just wasn’t allowed to authorise it.

Lying to the school, or expecting your child to lie, is far worse IMO than taking them out for a few days.

Definitely don't lie, just email and take it as unauthorized absence. As long as you don't exceed 4 days in a term you'll be ok. But as others have said even sickness in this term could trigger a fine.