Taking a child out of school for one day

[Lorralorralaughs]

I would like to take my child out of school for one day, the last day of term. I wrote to the head explaining the reasons why and had a letter back to say she couldn't authorise it but we could do it if we wanted to as an unauthorised absence. My DS is 4.8. My question is, if we do take him out of school for that day, will we be fined? He hasn't missed a day so far since starting in September. How do the schools view it if they've written to you to say it's not authorised, but you do it anyway? I'd appreciate any advice.

I don't think they can do anything if he's under 5, and there is no legal requirement for him to be at school yet. I might be talking rubbish though, as my 2 were both 5 within a few days of starting school.

He's not going to be fined for one day's unauthorised absence with otherwise 100% attendance. Headteachers aren't allowed to authorise holidays anymore unless in "exceptional circumstances" (and no-one's actually explained what that means), which is why it's come back unauthorised. So don't fret - the school will just be grateful you've let them know so they don't waste phone calls, and that you're not lying about it.

No you cannot be fined until the pupil reaches statutory school age. And most LEAs have policies which are along the lines of 5 consecutive days or repeated shorter absences.

But you could fall under other attendance management measures (eg snotty letter, or absence noted (and held against you later))

We missed the first day of this term; the head said something about not needing to report unauthorised absences unless they are 5 days in a row or something? Anyway, she assured me that it was a formality and gave us her blessing to take the children out.

No legal requirement to attend till the term after their 5th birthday.

In my county a pupil can be absent for two weeks and just get a warning letter saying they need full attendance for next three weeks.

An education welfare officer won't be interested in a 5 year being absent for one day.

They'd be very unlikely to consider fining for one day. The head is not able to authorize it except in exceptional circumstances, but from what you say of her letter, it sounds like she's saying 'go ahead' without actually saying it!

The head can authorise the absence in special occasions.

Weddings, funerals, visits to grandparents about to die,

No ones gonna fine you for one day

Take your child out

Thank you everyone. Really appreciate all of your replies! I'll be taking him out for the day x