Taking child out of school before 5 years

[JC17fj74]

Due to re arranging and cancelling several breaks this year and last year due to Covid we have a weeks holiday booked for the end of the year. DS is due to start school in September, and my friend told me that children don't legally have to be in school education until they age 5 so will I be ok taking him out of school this time? He is 4 in June.
What would you say? Would you ask? Or just take him out?
Thanks

I think there’s a difference between choosing not to start school till they are 5, versus starting school at 4 but taking them out for odd weeks on the basis they are not 5 yet. The latter is a pain for the teacher as they have to keep track of what your child has missed.

That said, holidays have been so screwed this year, I would like to think the school would be understanding about missing a week of reception (whether your child is 4 or 5) for a much delayed holiday. Be aware that depending on timing it may mean they miss the nativity or other Christmas fun.

@JC17fj74 The school aren’t allowed to grant you permission but you can’t be fined as the child isn’t compulsory school age yet.

You can take your child out of school but you should not expect the teacher to supply you with a work pack or do any catch up learning with your kid when they return.

Thanks for the replies :)
It's not something we will be doing in future it's just happened this way because of having to push it further and further forward for the last year.
So would it be best to be upfront with the school and explain the situation as apposed to ask for the permission as you say they won't be able to give it?
Or do I just take him out?

Fill in the form but expect it to come back unauthorised. Just a thought - is it in December? Just be aware that that means he'll be missing out on all the Christmas excitement/preparations/performances.

I would just be upfront with the school and tell them what you plan to do. They will mark it as an unauthorised absence, but that's what it is. It's fine. I've taken mine out quite a few times (once this past year for a holiday that had to be re-booked due to first lockdown) and other times just because that was the only time I could travel due to work and other commitments. School has always been fine with it. The not being compulsory school age thing doesn't have anything to do with it, unless you were planning to not enrol him until 5. If he is registered at the school, he's expected to attend. But it's been a tough year and as long as you are upfront about it, they will likely be understanding.

Thank you, it's in November, it's our Winter wonderland centre Parcs trip that got cancelled last year so we postponed it to this year.
Do schools ever approve a holiday if you put a request in for term time? Or is it always declined and put down as unauthorised absence?

I’m a teacher and in my experience holidays are grants for exceptional circumstances eg when holiday could only take place in term time because Mum was having chemo over the school holiday and to go to Mum’s graduation ceremony.