What are the exceptional circumstances in which absence will be authorised?

[Suddengeekgirl]

Have just been told that ds' aunt's wedding will not be an authorised absence. We may/ may not be fined.

What are the circumstances where absence is authorised?

School receptionist said only court dates and family death! Is that it?

Really prh? You think it is Ok to take your children out of school for your wedding which you could have organised outside of school hours but not to take them out for a relative's who may have had no idea about the rules when they set the date? I think that is the wrong way round personally

Ironically, the very people who have the final 'say' as to whether circumstances are exceptional enough are sometimes the least likely people to sympathise.

Teaching staff are used to having to turn down all sorts of things because, quite rightly, they are expected to turn up to work during term-time.

When I worked as a teacher, I had to turn down lots of opportunities for long-weekends/weekday weddings/hen parties as they clashed with work. It was only when I left teaching that I was able to see my son's nativity play (he was in year 2). I never went to his sports' days.

Whilst the school holidays are long and very welcome, having time off that is totally inflexible can be a real pain.

I found it really irritating when family members were put out that I couldn't attned their 'important event' on a week day during term time.

"People organising weddings are quite likely to be blissfully ignorant of the stupid rules round school absence and won't realise their beloved nieces and nephews may not be authorised to take one (or perhaps two) days out of school to attend such an important family event."

I doubt it, unless they never see/hear/read the news.

What a minefield for Head Teachers. If I was them, I would be loose with the guidelines. Most parents will be happy then.

"People organising weddings are quite likely to be blissfully ignorant of the stupid rules round school absence and won't realise their beloved nieces and nephews may not be authorised to take one (or perhaps two) days out of school to attend such an important family event."

I agree - only kids with children at school now - and particularly kids who have never enjoyed the freedom of previous years (ours was a head who always authorised five days without question) have any real inkling of the way things have changed. At least that's what I've found out when I've had to turn down/rearrange stuff.

sorry - that was muddled - don't type and run a bath/make supper etc. sorry.

Before my kids reached preschool age I was blissfully ignorant of the British school term-time system. So that was the first 13 yrs I lived in England.

Have the NAHT ever discussed this?

I've seen a representative from them speaking in support of this law, but was wondering if the union had brought HTs together to discuss the sensible exercise of discretion. And if they have, what conclusions (if any) they reached.

I informed the school (by letter) that my DCs would be attending their great-grandad's funeral last year - even that wasn't formally authorised.

Actually, I would have thought that anyone who organises a wedding for a week day would prepare themselves that a significant number people would not be able to attend for all sorts of reasons.

In my experience there are too many double standards in schools which make the upholding of this law a farce.

As an example: A Head Teacher considers it acceptable to place a child on a part time timetable for months on end without providing them with the full time education that is required by law. Meanwhile he refuses another child a day off for a wedding as their education is considered too important for them to miss a single day of school.
Seriously,how can the Head Teacher justify this?

We are taking DD 450 miles for a 2-week intensive physio course next week as post-op rehabilitation. We are going to take her out of school early tomorrow. I was told that, of course, the head couldn't authorise it, but that they knew it was still going to happen.

I then spoke to DD's 1-1 within hearing of the head saying I was taking her early and the head grinned, put her fingers in her ears and said 'La la la!'. However, DD isn't yet 5 so isn't of statutory school age yet, so there shouldn't be any comeback.

Yes Tiggy, but when it is challenged nothing happens. It's all very well saying it's not allowed but if Head's can just ignore the law why is it not o.k for parents to do the same? The answer is because the parents can get penalised yet the Head knows there is no penalty for them breaking the law themselves.

I love these horrendous threads so much.

Each one steels my determination to home educate my dc.

It makes me sad that there is so much focus on statistics and sod all on the real merit to be gained from varied life experiences.

Do you know that if your child is off school long term sick the lea have to provide a tutor at home or in hospital to keep your child up to speed.
5hrs one to one tuition is deemed to be plenty

Double standard in our school. If it is a wedding in Pakistan, no prob, 2 weeks authorised. If in Scotland, and Fri off requested to fly up, permission denied.

I expect that if parents knew that hundreds of illegal exclusions had gone on at their school yet their child was refused just one day out of school there would be uproar.

mrsyoung if that is the case then the Head and Governors should be asked to explain how they came to such a decision.

You think it is Ok to take your children out of school for your wedding which you could have organised outside of school hours...

I'm not comfortable with either situation but one or both of a child's parents getting married is of real significance to the child whereas the marriage of a more distant relative isn't.

I never got taken out of school for a wedding but I did attend a number of weddings of relatives at that age. If I'd been given the choice I would have gone for a day at primary school every time.

Yes Tiggy, but when it is challenged nothing happens

Assuming you get nowhere with the head you should follow the school's complaints procedure. If that fails it is still possible to take it further but the route depends on the type of school, etc. Sooner or later you should find someone who knows that this is an illegal exclusion and will tell the school to sort it out.

5hrs one to one tuition is deemed to be plenty

Parents who HE will tell you that you generally don't need to be anything like full time to keep up with expected progress.

Arya - Well baring in mind you have more leave than the rest of the country I dont think anyone sympathises with teachers. Loads of jobs arent allowed ANY days in the school holidays off.

'Sooner or later you should find someone who knows that this is an illegal exclusion and will tell the school to sort it out'.

Maybe,maybe not and in any case the damage to the child's education, self esteem, social life etc. can be irreparable by the time anyone who cares listens to you.