Need two days off in term time. Allowed? How to approach?

[whistleahappytune]

I've never taken DD off school except for illness (which are just the normal flu-type day here or there). This October my husband has to do some work in Athens and Monemvasia (a few hours away). His flight, car hire and accomodation is fully paid for. My DD is crazy about Greek myths and ancient history, and has been bugging me to take her to Greece. We simply couldn't afford it in the summer, but as we'd only need to pay for our flights in October we could do this and have a four day trip - asking for two days off school.

I know that DD would get so much out of this trip, but I've read that the HT's cannot authorise ANY absence in term time. I really really don't want to "pull a sickie" and lie - just seems wrong to me, and they'll always find out anyway. I'm also worried that they might fine us if they don't authorise but go anyway. How to approach HT?

Advice please? Reassurance? Thanks, MNers.

Hi whistleahappytune:

The October date is no real issue for SATs (Y2 KS1 or Y6 KS2) - so it seems to me regardless of what year your DD is in, there should be no problem in principle with asking for the time off.

This would be asking for an excused absence - but I would point out that you have never asked for this before and that whilst in Greece you will be visiting x, y and z, which is a fantastic educational opportunity for your DD.

Most reasonable HTs will look at how your DD is as a student and weigh up if missing those 2 days is critical and decide it's not a problem.

HTH

We have had a letter from DD's school saying that they authority have advised head teachers they can not authorise any absences. If you do take them it will be recorded as unauthorised and a fine of £60 per parent per child will be charged.

If the authority has told HT's they cannot authorise any absence, then they are acting beyond or misprepresenting their powers.

HT's can still authorise absence in exceptional circumstances, and it is solely up to the head to decide what counts as exceptional.

Your best bet would be to try to persuade HT that it is truly exceptional. If that fails, then just take DD out without authorisation. The worst that can happen is a fine.

I wouldn't recommend pulling a sickie, as DD would also be forced to lie, and would be unable to mention her trip to any of her friends without blowing the lie out of the water. And that might be more damaging to your relationship with the school than an isolated two days unauthorised.

I would just write and explain to them the reason you are taking them out for those two days. I wouldn't ask them.
Tell them what you've told us - that this is an exceptional circumstance, that you will be studying the Greek Myths that your dc like so much, that you've never done it before and do not intend to make it a habit in the future.
If there are no other attendance issues, then 2 days is not going to hit the radar of the attendance people, it's all done on %s.

Thank you all for the helpful advice. I'm just going to write and explain.

Scaevola that's interesting about the authority acting beyond their powers. Seems to be happening a lot.

I understood it was a national thing, where HT's no longer given right to exercise discretion. And we are lucky here (at the moment at least) no fines for unauthorised absence.

I will be doing this myself next term as we have an opportunity to travel, no way can do it in holiday time only. I'm going with the view that if I believe it will give value to the children above and beyond everyday routine (and these types of trips have such potential) then morally I see no wrong, and am happy to take a 30 minute grilling in the Head's office in lieu of my children's valuable life experience.

Greece sounds amazing, I know DS1 would go mad for a trip like that!!

The law is changing from September 2013 so that head teachers won't be allowed to authorize any holidays. There is some leeway for exceptional circumstances but a holiday will not count.

It will go down as unauthorized and may result in a fine. However not all authorities pursue fines especially for one off incidents. Even if they do it is £60 per parent so I would just factor it into the cost.

Absolutely go anyway, even if the leave isn't authorised. I'd risk a fine for such a wonderful opportunity as that, no question.

The law has changed (slightly different wording) and it is unlikely heads will grant authorised absence.

it is also unlikely that the school will take action if attendance is normally good.

I agree with mrz on both counts (as ever)

Sorry - din't mean that to sound quite so creepy!