Rules over taking children out of school for holidays

[duall88]

Hello, thought I'd post in this thread because I may get a more balanced view rather than being lynched. To cut a long story short my little girl who is turning 4 end of June is going to start school, I've struggled with this, not because I don't think she's ready or capable, but because I think the school system is fundamentally broken. I didn't have a great school experience, I actually worked in education for a few years until I was diagnosed with breast cancer and realised I had to get out for my own sanity. Nothing much has changed about the school system since I was at school. My little one is sociable and we did get our first choice of school. She is already excited. I have to give her this chance. I'd love to do alternative schooling, but for now I just have to do this. This is my bug bear, being told we cannot take our children out of school for what could be a wholey enriching experience. I don't care, we've had the worst few years, she needed heart surgery after she was born, we had lock downs, my brother died and then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I need a break, we need for our own sanity to get away. We are now under enormous amount of pressure to do this before she starts, she will still only be 4. I did hear you can take them out before they are 5, not sure how true this is? Can't really find much info, because I'm sure it's discouraged!

My niece wasn't five until the August of reception year they took her out to go on holiday, the school couldn't authorise it (officially anyway) but they didn't get a fine because she wasn't five when they took her.
Alternatively just pay the fine. We've booked a trip for may next year, DS will be in reception he will be five. It's still much cheaper to pay the fine than to go in July

No one is stopping you going on holiday or taking your child out of school to do so. Would be a bit mean to do it in her first few weeks though, but otherwise, crack on

Loads of parents take their children out of schools for holidays where I am and, as I understand it, none of them have received fines. I was really surprised.

I work in a school office. They are not legally obliged to be there until they turn 5 do you will not get a fine for that bit.
In our LA it's a fine for over three days absence, when it's unauthorised. All "normal" holidays will be unauthorised unless there s as re exceptional circumstances like a dying grandparent etc.
You can still take them out of school, just be prepared for it to be unauthorised, a possible fine and perhaps a letter about their attendance level, depending on how much time off they have had.

Nobody is stopping you going, it just means there is a risk of fines if you do when she is over 5.

i am taking ds out for 4 days at the end of the term. It’s the right thing for us so I have no qualms. I will just pay the fine if we get one.

You can take her out until the term after her 5th birthday in England. Eg my daughter is born in December 2018 so I can take her out until the beginning of Jan 2024. I have taken her out on 2 occasions over the last year aged 3-4. I just sent letter.

Eg
Bob will be absent from school from x to x. We are going on holiday/ to a family wedding/ whatever. They will return to school on x day. Kind regards Bob's mum.

I think you don’t have to start school until the term after your child turns 5. However, you would need to check with the school regarding holiday during Reception. Are you wanting to de register or postpone the school place?

It’s a bit confusing as this board is for home education and this sounds like a school related issue?

As home educators this is not something that we have to consider. We tend to note when the local school holidays take place but this is to avoid our usual places (museums, galleries, parks etc) which become very busy during holiday time. Our holidays this year are in June and October with another possible week away in September as we can take them when we like.

Are you planning on going on holiday or an extended time away home schooling? I can't tell from your post. Holiday wise, school will log it as unauthorised. It won't be illegal as she isn't 5. The first term is where they make friends and get used to things, so I would avoid going away at the beginning. If you want an extended time then the school have the right to unregistered her, so she might not get a place when you return.