Unauthorised absence from school -what do i do on the day?

[CocktailQueen]

Sorry if this is a really silly question...

Applied for last day of term off school for kids as we have a family party 400 miles away. DD was granted, ds not (different schools) - his attendance is only 91% this term due to chest infections and colds.

Still plan to take him out of school, so it will be unauthorised. What do I tell school? Tell teacher the day before?

Thanks!

I don't know what the actual form is, but if it were me I'd just ring the school office that morning to confirm he won't be in, 'as discussed'. No need to elaborate.

Send a short note in the day before to both school office and teacher to say 'just to let you know DS will not be at school on XYZ date due to family party'

There is no need to send a note in beforehand, unless there is still stuff to bring home, such as PE kit and artwork for the end of term, in which case she might appreciate a heads up to get it home a day earlier.
But do NOT put the word 'party' in the note! Call it 'event' or 'function.'

due to a "personal family matter"

I've had exactly this situation. Ds was 'sick' that day. No repercussions.

I'm afraid I think that schools would often prefer you to lie and pull a sicky than to stick to your guns and take your child out 'unauthorised'. Basically the school looks bad if they give permission for anything but exceptional circs. The school looks worse if they have a high unauthorised absence. The only solution is to authorise the absence by coincidentally being ill that day. You get your holiday. School keeps its figures clean. Everybody happy.

Call early in the morning to leave a slightly ambiguous message. I 'd go for "I am afraid Jonny won't make it in today". Then if they want to seem him I'll they can, but you haven't lied

Inform the school so they know where he is & not to ring you about it. I would tell teacher too if I had the chance.