The new rules re absence...

[sillyoldfool]

Don't seem to apply to our school.
Dd1 had a day off yesterday for a trip to a sports event with her rainbows pack, all the girls were granted the day off.
A friend is going with her DH to a wedding in Canada, the only person who can look after her two girls while they're away are her parents who live miles away, the school has granted them the time off to go and stay with their grandparents.
From reading on here I thought all absences would be banned from september, anyone else not being affected?
The school has been 'outstanding' for a vvvv long time so is it because they're so secure in their rating it doesn't matter to them?

Well, they might find that they don't keep their 'outstanding' rating much longer! Dunno, it's still early days, so who knows how this is all going to pan out?

Educational activities and sports are not banned. DD2 will have time off school this term for: 1. Being in the local pantomime (2 afternoons in the last week of term - this is licenced by the county council and if a child is granted a licence to perform in the production then the school has to give permission, apparently) 2. Performing in a production as part of a regional music festival. This production does have mass participation (singing) from several primary schools in the area, but DD2's primary school is not involved, however she has specifically been invited to play in the orchestra. She will be the only person from her school in the production.

We haven't had any problem at all from the school for getting agreement for either of those absences. She will also potentially have time off for two music exams and a ballet exam before Xmas (but those won't even be half days, they will be at the most 1.5 hour absences)

No, all absences are not banned. The school can authorise absence in exceptional circumstances. It is entirely up to the school to decide whether or not a particular request qualifies.