Term time holidays, where do I stand?

[VillageFete]

Hi,

DD starts reception in September, before booking our holiday I went to the school and asked what date DD would start. I was told Monday 8th September by 2 ladies on reception (Secretaries?) Parents with older children in the school also told me DD would start week after the rest of the school had gone back, this was always the way things had worked at the school. So we've booked a holiday & are back 4th Sept.

Goes into the school to meet the Teacher, I am then told DD will start on 3rd Sept as some reception parents have complained this year due to having older children at the school, it messes up their childcare. Governors considered this and decided to change it to 3rd.

I am gutted, DD is now going to miss the first 2 days, it's hard enough starting school, but to go 2 days after everyone else means that they may have already made friends etc, would hate DD to feel left out (they are half days the first week) I would never have booked the holiday had I been told the correct dates.

Spoke with the lady on reception again, she apologised for the info she had given me, and explained it was correct at the time, but Governors changed their mind.

She also explained I would receive a fine from the LA and DD would have 2 unauthorised absences.

Gutted, what a horrible start for us. I am going to set up a meeting next week with the Head and see if this is correct as it wasn't my fault.

Any advice? Can I contest the fine?

If the holiday was booked before you were given the dates, I don't think they can fine you. You'll have evidence of this with the booking.

You won't get fined as unless dd is 5 already then she isn't compulsory school age so the fine doesn't apply to her but agree that the 2 days is annoying BUT it's not the end of the world!! The children will just be playing and settling in and whilst she will be later than usual she won't be at a massive disadvantage.

I don't see how they could issue a fine as they didn't give you the correct date. although unless you have something in writing it could be the secretaries words against yours.
Its a risk booking a holiday that runs into September as most schools go back the first week.

I'm loving the attitude of this school.

Sorry we gave you wrong information and now you're gonna get fined!

And you as a school are going to explain to the LEA and make I don't get fined should have been your response.

I seriously doubt that you will be fined. Check with your LEA - ours only fines for over 10 missed sessions (I think that means 5 days).

As for your DD missing the first 2 days - check that the children aren't having a staggered entry. If they are then I would come home from holiday early - as awful as that is. Poor you, what a horrid situation.

Our school does staggered starts over a few days. She will only miss 2 mornings. They won't fine you. Enjoy your hols Your DD will hardly notice

Right, they told you the 8th. You've booked your holiday. This actually isn't a problem because the school can choose to use the 8th as your dd's start date on their admissions software.

I suggest you speak to the person who is actually in charge of admissions (admin manager probably) rather than an office assistant. Or the Headteacher. Ask them to honour the original start date. Just because others have agreed to the 3rd means nothing to you. Plus, going in a few mornings after other children will be fine for your dd. Enjoy your holiday.

They can't fine you until the term after your child turns 5

Thanks for all of the replies so far, i'll book an appt with the Head on Monday.

Lucas Unfortunately I can't come back early, it's the holiday of a lifetime to the Caribbean! Really gutted over it though.

She is only missing 2 half sessions (over the 2 days) but still, 2 unauthorised absences aren't good.

I don't think you should have taken the word of a school secretary and parents of other children before booking your holiday. You really should have waited for official notification before going ahead and booking it. Nevermind, what's done is done, so just make the best of the situation.

What a cunty school! . Any school that threatens to dish out TWO fines to brand new Reception Starters needs to chill out and get off their power trip. I'd be seriously questioning sending her at all with that kind of attitude.

Sorry, just saw two absences not fines. Stand by the rest of my post though.

She won't be compulsory school age in September. Taking her on holiday in term time once she's started school may be a grey area but pretty sure you are entitled to have her start date deferred till after your return. Also, do the school really want unauthorised absences on their record when a later start date could have easily prevented them.

We took DS1 out of school in the January of reception, he wasn't 5 until the May. We did get a letter threatening to fine us, but I wrote back, pointing out that he wasn't yet 5 and heard nothing more.

I've also just thought that you'll probably get back early morning on the 4th - your daughter can't go to school after a long overnight flight! I'd second what the other poster said about changing your start date til the 8th.

Nicki, it's nothing to do with the school - they don't issue fines, the LEA does. The school were just warning the OP what would probably happen.

OP, as ity's just 2 morning sessions I wouldn't worry too much about what your DD will miss. As far as the unauthorised absences - don't give them another thought, it's a non-issue :) The only thing (other than the extremely unlikely fine) that can happen is that you have an EWO ask you about it - and you'll have a perfectly good explanation for it. It won't go against your DD at all, it's not a problem...

I am aware that the LA issue the fine but that information comes from the school.

I took dd out for nearly two weeks for a holiday that had been booked before she even started there and school were brilliant about it and totally understanding, authorising the absence. This could be done here not coming down with both feet on a brand new starter.

Like the poster above, our LA does not issue fines until a child has 5 consecutive absences. I really would not worry. Just put in writiting to the headteacher what has happened.