Taking children out of school in term time

[Plinkityplonk]

I've never taken my children out to school in term time and have two ds's aged 8 & 3. This year we have decided to take them out for 1 week at the end of September so that we can have a week away. We haven't had a break away for past two years due to finances and we just can't afford the prices charged in the school holidays even for a short uk based break. We want to celebrate my 40th in September as well as our youngest's birthday & our ten year wedding anniversary.

So my question is if you have done this what have you told the school? Our school point blank refuses to authorise any term time off for any reason, I don't know whether just to be honest and let them know we are going away to celebrate some special family occasions, I don't feel comfortable lying and wouldn't expect ds's to either...

Don't lie. Your kids will be bragging about why they missed school.

I would tell the school you are taking the week and if they wan't to call it unauthorized, that's their problem.

They are still your children.

Be honest, give reasons, go anyway... you may be fined, but it is likely to be less than the cost of a holiday outside term time.

It depends on the school. One school around here prosecutes, ours just authorise it.

They prosecute? What law is the OP breaking by missing one week of school?

And do let me know which school that is so I can not only avoid it myself but tell all my friends to avoid it as well.

Not that I am probably anywhere near it, being in Belfast.

We'll be taking dc out of school in February next year for 2 weeks, as we're flying to Germany to see family. The school my son will be going to doesn't authorize it either.

Don't lie, tell them, it's 1 week at the end of September, it's not like you're taking him out mid term or taking him out completely. They can't really stop you, he's your son.

Didnt say they were right, in fact I'm always a bit at any school who refuse term time help. Think they prosecute under the school non attendance laws, heard of a couple of cases, and no, it's nowhere near you

Most if not all school will refuse holidays during term time as it will affect their attendance levels.

But schools do not fine parents for holidays in term time it is the local authority. In our area it is £60 per parent for each child so you could be looking at a fine of £240.

My god, how draconian. I'd be tempted to become a test case, I really would.

Not that we ever go to holiday during term time since my husband is a Uni Teaching Fellow.

We have done and will do again. sometimes it is authorised, sometimes not, always be honest though, and don't call in sick for the week.

How would I know if we will be fined is that something that we wouldn't know until after the event? Also how much notice should I give, I was thinking of writing them a note at the beginning of September. I do know of a couple of families who took unauthorised leave last year so I'll ask them whether they had any repercussions.

I wouldn't let them know until the kids return to school in September. I am always amazed by these schools that supposedly fine families for minute amounts of absence. I'm sure it would never hold up in court if you refused to pay it. Its totally unreasonable. There are families that really take liberties, their kids have something like 60% attendance, they never pay the fines and the courts don't seem to uphold it either as they always come up with flimsy reasons. You could check your local authority's policy for term time absence in the meantime, the schools usually follow local authority guidance.

September is the worst time for children to miss school. New class, new teacher, new routines etc. If you must take your child out of school in term time, then take them in July.

Ah ok great I will check the policy- ds1 has an excellent attendance record- 100% for most of his school years I think he's only had 1 day off sick this year so far and ds2 is in nursery so it'll be fine to take him out. I'm really not a rule breaker- I'm sure you can tell! But we've had a crap start to the year with family illness & bereavement & I want to give us all something to look forward to.

I am taking ds out in june for 10 days
We cannot afford to go and see my parents in Canada in august, dh cannot get the time off in august, he employs lots of parents who all take time off in august.
My parents are old and unable to come here
Ds hasn't seen them for 3 yrs.
They can fine me if they don't authorise it..I have already booked the flights.