School absence

[pleurotus]

I'm sure this question has been asked before so sorry in advance.

My son is 4 and has just started reception. A couple of weeks ago we took him out of school for two days to go on holiday with extended family for a special celebration. I called the school on both mornings to say he wouldn't be in.

However I then received an absence form to fill out and it's come back today as 'unauthorised' am I right in thinking it's not a legal requirement for him to attend school until the term after his 5th birthday and so shouldn't need an absence form in the first place?

I'm sure it's just protocol but I can't help but feel like I've been judged by the school.

In the U.K., not a legal requirement until the term after their 5th birthday. They can't fine you.

But because he has a place, they need to track his attendance.

They have a duty of care so monitor attendance.

He is under 5 but is still taking a place away from other families who would have used the place full time, it's school not a private nursery.. They carnt fine you but yes they can monitor attendance and record it unauthorized.

Whilst you are correct he doesn’t have to be in school yet, you have taken a school place for him so have to follow the procedures. if he is absent for the reasons stated, then yes, it’s unauthorised and will show that on his records.