holiday during term time

[Boblina]

Hi, DS1 is in reception. We are thinking of going on holiday to Italy for 10 days during the May bank holiday. You know the one that is really in June. His school breaks on Thursday 30 May and they go back on Wednesday 6 June. not sure why they are not having the whole week off as it's half term. Isn't it or am i getting it totally wrong?????? Anyway we were hoping to go away then as I thought it would be a whole week but now I am not sure. You see the school fine you £50 per day (that is if your child is not sick). Is there a way of getting round that? No point in telling DS1 to say that he is sick because he just would not and he would want to show his scrapt book to the class. But the prices during the school hols are massive. Almost three times as much and you would get less time. Any body with experience of taking child out of school? Can a school make you pay? I agree that school is very important. But I think that DS1 would get a lot from the holiday. He would be practicing his Italian (I am half Italian) and much more.

As far as I am aware, it is a one off charge of £50, which goes up to £100 if not paid in 28 days.

It depends on the school whether it will enforce a charge and it is a charge per child.

Oh, and if your child is not 5 by the time they go, they cannot be charged, apparently.

I've always wondered- where does the £50 go? :)

I have tried to look on the local authority site about the fine. but I def thought it was only a one off fine of £50. I was told it was per day which is very expensive.

Cannot find anything. I remember seeing something ages ago, but looking tonight, nothing.

I've never actually known anyone to be charged but some LAs are meaner than others. As far as I know it is a one-off £50 fine. Do you know any other parents with children at the same school that have taken term-time holidays? You could try asking them. The head usually has some measure of discretion so you may find your request is authorised.

Been told that nothing is being authorised. The same rule for everyone, not case by case. I know someone was fined but it was not paid but don't know all details. Shall have to find out a bit more I suppose.

I took DD out in Reception and in Year 2, for a week in November (both times). It was an unauthorised absence but I did not get a fine.

She is now in Year 3, this was the year that we were going for 100% attendance. Mum goes and books a holiday for a week, early May. I hit the roof (I had said we'd go away in the May hols) Mum assumed the May hols fell the same time as they did last year.

DD is now in Y3, bitterly upset at not attaining 100% attendance (?) because of the holiday. I did explain that as we were going to Skye, there would be lots of nature and exploring to do - but she's a drama queen and wouldn't have any of it

School sent a letter home last week saying that they are closely monitoring attendance and that the children must strive to attain 95% and above (DD was 97% due to illness) anybody falling below 85% will be viewed as a persistent absentee and the LEA will get involved.

So, not only the £50 you have to consider, it's whether you want the LEA on your back too.

Had not thought about that. DS has had a couple of days here and there off because of illness so yes. Thank you for pointing it out scaryhair. Not thought about that. So you still taking DD on holiday? What does the LA do?

How can this be right? That some schools/LEAs fine for holiday absence, yet others don't at all? It's unfair. Kids in my class are always swanning off - 4 last term alone, and a couple next week too. No fines. None of them are authorised - I've seen the standard "no" letter go out.

i think there are legal guildlines on when they can fine? we just looked into this as we are having a holiday in sept so 4 boys will have 5 days off school each. the info i found on fine was you have to have more than 5 consequetive days off unauthorised AND have a poor attendance record, generally if you have an otherwise good attendance record and its a one off you wont be fined, but it does seem to depend on your LEA>.

Poor atendance record? For illness, or random unauthorised absence? It seems unfair that a child who has suffered ill health does not "qualify" for a term-time holiday, yet a healthy child might.

clam i 'think' it would be unauthorised absence, but again it would depend on the school and the lea, some will get the truancy officer in on cases that other schools wouldnt bother. from what i have heard they are quite lax in my lea, thankfully my kids have a good attendance so we are taking our holiday even if its not authorised, am hopeful it will be as dp cant get holiday any other time and that counts as one of the reasons that they 'may' grant permission!

tbh i think its all a pile of crap, when i was younger we used to have term time holidays, leave for when my dad came back from being away (he was RAF) etc and it was fine. legally schools ARE allowed to permit 10days of authorised absence and its bollocks that they arent doing and its all down to poxy ofsted

OP - yes, we are going. Mum booked the holiday cottage, overnight b&b half way, can't lose the deposit and we are going with Bil, Sil too who all work shifts so all managed to get same week off. Not mum's fault, but she knows to check next time. Am looking forward to it now, DD won't miss out on education going to such an amazing place :)

I had not realised how much our holidays would be affected by school. It's mad. holiday companies, flights, etc taking advantage and school not allowing time off, fine, etc. It's mad! I think holidays are a good think for children but the fine and LA, all too much. I was not able to talk to anyone at school who has been through this today but shall see if I can speak to anyone tomorrow.

I do feel as though my life is not my own IYSWIM.

Once the children are at school, you have to ask somebody else when you can take your holidays.

I get it, I understand and I agree - education is important. I understand that teaching staff are also governed by when they can/can't take holidays.

I just don't like that I am dictated to. But there is bugger all I can do about it, and I want DD to shine pfb so I just plod along.

Meh. Bloody rules. Meh!

rant over