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Original poster

School fines

37 replies

Smilelikety · 29/03/2023 12:01

Hey! im looking for a little advice

Im looking to take my son out of school for about 10 days for a holiday trouble is i already have a fine so i would need to pay that do you think i would receive anything if i took him out of school again?

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SheilaFentiman · 29/03/2023 12:01

Almost certainly, yes.

Original poster
Smilelikety · 29/03/2023 12:05

Would it just be another fine?

OP posts:
shard5 · 29/03/2023 12:07

Pay the fine so that absence is accounted for.
For the second absence you will be fined again.
What year is he in and how is he doing academically?

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MelchiorsMistress · 29/03/2023 12:07

Yes, you will get another fine, and rightly so.

shard5 · 29/03/2023 12:09

In 10 day is he's a high schooler he will miss something like 10 hours each of the core subjects plus all the other subjects that he studies.
What time of year are you thinking of taking him out?

IhearyouClemFandango · 29/03/2023 12:10

Yes, at least another fine. How many days in total would it be? LA may move to the next step. What sounds like 3 wks out is a long time.

Original poster
Smilelikety · 29/03/2023 12:12

It would be From May 25th to june 14th but he is on school holidays from 27th may- 5th june

OP posts:
Fluffodils · 29/03/2023 12:13

Yes you will be fined.

ohidoliketobe · 29/03/2023 12:13

Best advice would be to check your local education authority policy.

In my LEA, a penalty notice is considered for over 5 days/ 10 sessions over 1 term, or 10 days/ 20 sessions in 2 consecutive terms. In this scenario if you've already been issued with penalty notice already, this second period of absence would incur a second fine.

Original poster
Smilelikety · 29/03/2023 12:14

MelchiorsMistress · 29/03/2023 12:07

Yes, you will get another fine, and rightly so.

He has been out of school for mental health reasons its not like i kept him of for silly things hes been going everyday in hopes to get his attendance up since beginning of march end of Feb. But he was late one day so i got a letter with a fine :(

OP posts:
Tealsofa · 29/03/2023 12:14

why are you taking him out of school again?

MotorOilHeiress · 29/03/2023 12:14

Our LA says only 1 fine per year. Because it will then go to prosecution. As the first fine is the warning to not do it again. So you would go to next stage if taken out again.

There must be numerous absence if you have already received 1 fine. So obviously a lot of education has already been missed. Even before you add on another 10 days.

Surely you know this is not good?

MotorOilHeiress · 29/03/2023 12:16

Just seen your update. I fully understand mental health in children. I've actually pulled mine out to Elective Home Educate due to this. What year are they? Would this be an option? Mine are doing so much better and actively engaging in work and better mental health.

Original poster
Smilelikety · 29/03/2023 12:16

MotorOilHeiress · 29/03/2023 12:14

Our LA says only 1 fine per year. Because it will then go to prosecution. As the first fine is the warning to not do it again. So you would go to next stage if taken out again.

There must be numerous absence if you have already received 1 fine. So obviously a lot of education has already been missed. Even before you add on another 10 days.

Surely you know this is not good?

I know this isnt good dont worry. Ive been trying my hardest to get him up everyday but he struggles with mental health. everyday is a worry.

OP posts:
Fluffodils · 29/03/2023 12:17

Smilelikety · 29/03/2023 12:14

He has been out of school for mental health reasons its not like i kept him of for silly things hes been going everyday in hopes to get his attendance up since beginning of march end of Feb. But he was late one day so i got a letter with a fine :(

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I really wouldn't be taking him out of school for a holiday. It doesn't send the right signals.

Original poster
Smilelikety · 29/03/2023 12:18

MotorOilHeiress · 29/03/2023 12:16

Just seen your update. I fully understand mental health in children. I've actually pulled mine out to Elective Home Educate due to this. What year are they? Would this be an option? Mine are doing so much better and actively engaging in work and better mental health.

he is in year 10 x

OP posts:
PotterofGryfindor · 29/03/2023 12:40

You are only taking him out for 2/3 days? In your shoes I would ring each morning to let them know he has a dv bug…

Marchforward · 29/03/2023 12:43

Surely his mental health days would have authorised as illness. Does your GP not support this time off?

No way would I be doing a term time holiday in year 10, especially will low attendance. Falling behind won’t be helping his mental health.

Ratatouille1 · 29/03/2023 12:46

@PotterofGryfindor I think that is really bad advice to someone who has already been fined. A home visit in this situation is a distinct possibility.

MotorOilHeiress · 29/03/2023 12:55

I can guarantee most gps will not spend time authorising notes to school. My gp refuses to get involved. The ones that have even officially been given letters through GP or even camhs still do not usually go down as authorised. It's a shit situation all round.

As he Y10 has he picked options? Is he predicted to pass?

MotorOilHeiress · 29/03/2023 12:59

@Smilelikety is home education not an option? Is there a local college that accepts 13yr olds to 16yr olds to do foundation level and vocational/btec?

if a child is struggling with mental health and missing school it becomes a cycle. Break the cycle and support there health first and foremost. There is too much focus on attaining GCSE as if its is the only way to a good future. You have your life to learn/re train/change careers. As long as the basics of education maths/English are achieved there is no stopping them doing more qualifications in the future. No child will learn if they are suffering.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 29/03/2023 13:02

I thought you would say primary age but year 10?! Are you kidding?

Have you asked your dc what they think and checked about GCSEs?

our dc who is in year 10 has 2 GCSEs in the time that you’re proposing to be away. Actual exams that count towards their final grades, not mocks.

I understand that mental health is important but surely missing this much school during key years isn’t going to help, particularly when it’s avoidable.

Anonhopingforbaby · 29/03/2023 13:02

Just take him out. No education is worth his mental health.

My sister and I used to miss 2+ weeks a year, every year. Before fines etc., when parents were allowed to do what they wanted with their children. I'm a solicitor, my sister is training to be a solicitor. We both have law degrees from one of the top law schools in the country. He will be fine.

LoveBluey · 29/03/2023 13:07

I'm not sure anyone here can answer. It will vary between schools and LEAs and depending on your own circumstances.

Our infant school generally doesn't issue fines for term time holidays unless multiple instances in same school year. But they could start to implement them if absence became a problem and that is clear in their policies.

Fluffodils · 29/03/2023 13:13

Why are you taking them out