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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Want to take DS off school for a week

34 replies

goldenochre · 18/11/2021 12:48

DS(4) is in reception and we want to take his last week off in december to see our family m(another country). DD(20months) was born just when the first lockdown began and she hasn't seen her DGPs both sides and her cousins, no one 😑. I am also due to go back to work in Jab so thought good idea to take 3 weeks holiday.

The restrictions recently been lifted where we are going and its a window we can go so she can have some DGP time. DS is not 5 yet so we won't be fined I hope.

But I wonder how frowned upon is it? Is it common people do it? Some say I should call DS sick and not send him but I feel the truth is much better. What do you think?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

IVFdreams2021 · 18/11/2021 12:51

He's not 5 so legally doesn't have to be in school however I'd call him in sick as being honest doesn't get you anywhere with schools.

usernotfound0000 · 18/11/2021 12:53

Personally, I would do it. They do very little work in the last week anyway. I believe you can't be fined if they are under 5 also, as they don't legally need to be in school until they are 5. The only things that would make me not do it, is if there were any concerns around where they are, how well they've settled and how much other time they have had off.

Wolfiefan · 18/11/2021 12:58

Definitely don’t call in sick. Awful advice.
Be honest.

NameChange30 · 18/11/2021 12:58

YANBU and I would do it but would tell school the truth.

The whole week before the Christmas holidays, off sick? It would be so obvious that you were lying.

Caliexpidocioussuper · 18/11/2021 13:01

Just take him out. School don’t have a choice to authorise something. People like to blame the head of the school but it is the local authority that set the rules. Don’t call it a holiday on the form. Say it’s to spend important time with family in another country. Honestly, the class teacher couldn’t care less. The last week of school is a messy time anyway with one thing or another going on. Go and don’t give it another thought.

CallmeHendricks · 18/11/2021 13:01

As a teacher, it really does piss me off the number of people who attempt to justify term time holidays by saying, "they do very little work at the end of term."
That may have been true decades ago, but it certainly isn't nowadays.

lanthanum · 18/11/2021 13:57

School will likely be sympathetic, and since he is under 5, not bound by the attendance rules. Telling them in good time is sensible. (I remember the year the child with the lead role in the Christmas play went to Center Parcs the week before the performance...)

I do agree with you CallmeHendricks, but I think it's less of a problem in EYFS, and I think it's been such a difficult time for families split between different countries.

Original poster

goldenochre · 18/11/2021 14:09

Thank you all, much appreciated!

I will ask at the office for leave form(or whatever their procedure is with these things) and just lay it all out on paper. I do think DS teacher noticed it in him about him not seeing his family for such long time. So It may be expected I suppose.

Its been a miserable time last 2 years this kind of brighten up our december now 😁

I suppose he might miss out on the last week but personally in our case, he has so much to gain with the long awaited days with his grandparents!

OP posts:

BlueChampagne · 18/11/2021 14:14

Definitely be honest with the school. He's hardly likely to keep quiet about it at the start of next term!

Iamnotthe1 · 18/11/2021 17:57

Always be honest: your child will end up telling school anyway once they return.

You need to complete the form but it's worth knowing that the likely outcome is that school will reject the application. That won't be specific to you (or even a big deal) but will be simply because they aren't allowed to authorise holidays, even if they want to, unless the circumstances are truly exceptional. The school rejecting it just means it'll be noted as unauthorised but given his age, the LA won't fine you anyway.

Heckythump1 · 19/11/2021 10:19

I personally wouldn't, they do so many lovely things in the last week before the Christmas holidays and my daughter would be gutted to miss it!
And yes as other posters said, they do, do work in the last week, all time in school is important.

MamaE03 · 19/11/2021 10:47

In reception your child is still in 'early years' and not school as such so cannot be fined, if they try, fight it and you will win, dont stand to any fine!

prh47bridge · 19/11/2021 18:04

@Caliexpidocioussuper

No, the LA don't set the rules. They set a code of practice which determines which unauthorised absences are fined, but they have no authority to set rules to determine which absences should be authorised. That is for the head teacher and governors.

MrPickles73 · 20/11/2021 09:44

Just do it. If he's underage just tell the school what you are doing.
Last week of term very little education happens and let's face it there's been little education over the last couple of years so they can hardly tell you off. Schools have lost the moral high ground on this one.

Sirzy · 20/11/2021 09:46

The last week before Christmas is often full of fun things. I really wouldn’t want to keep them off then.

Why not just go for the two weeks?

NeedAHoliday2021 · 20/11/2021 09:51

I’m doing this. We fly on Saturday 18 December and I’m keeping them off school the week before so we don’t have to isolate and reduce the risk of them catching covid. Primary teacher was totally supportive. They can’t authorise it but won’t fine us. Not sure what to do re secondary, that’s another conversation I need to have. Dd is year 9 and top sets across her gcse choice subjects so education wise I think it’s fine but goes against my usually parenting. Covid has made me focus on what’s important and time with family after isolating last Christmas is my priority this Christmas.

orangechairs · 20/11/2021 09:54

Yes I would take my 4 year old out of school for a week. I have done this. Be honest with the school, they won't appreciate lies and your child is likely to tell them where he's been anyway!

Original poster

goldenochre · 21/11/2021 00:31

Hello,

Yes I asked the school and they told me to email with details and that it should be fine( I think they mean because he is 4). So I expected a bit more of a conversation( or talk down about attendance) but they were pretty relaxed about it. Maybe I was thinking too much.

Yea I supposed I could have taken only 2 weeks to go off to meet family but they are very far away(around 14hrs flight) it kind of knocks off 2 day just for travel and cost is also a factor. Over all its been more than 2 yrs we've not seen them(just no family 😑) that it just seem very reasonable for us if we can take the extra week. I dont think we'll do this again hopefully covid will be long gone 🤞🏽

OP posts:

CakesOfVersailles · 21/11/2021 07:00

He's four. He doesn't even have to be in school. Take him out for a lovely family holiday. I wouldn't frown on it and frankly in your shoes I wouldn't care at all if other people did.

espresso14 · 22/11/2021 21:47

If it's like our school, they're spending loads of time in nativity rehearsals anyway, so do it.

PeachesPumpkin · 22/11/2021 21:53

It would be a shame as the last week of school is such a great week.
I think people who think children should only ever have their noses to the grindstone right up until the last second of term are so wrong. It is good to have a bit of fun and creativity in school. Bonding with classmates and making memories. Crafting, drawing and golden time. Watching a pantomime. Who knows what fun they might miss.
Will you child miss the Christmas Nativity, carol service etc OP?

Terminallysleepdeprived · 22/11/2021 21:54

As a school governor the above advice is correct, he is not compulsory school age so whilst you may get a letter as they are automated there really isn't much the local authority can/will do (they issue fines not the school)

However, I would strongly advise you to be honest with the school, there are mitigating circumstances as to why you need to have leave from school and whilst at our school this would go to the governors for approval/refusal I can't honestly see anyone refusing it.

MajorCarolDanvers · 22/11/2021 22:04

Just do it. And enjoy.

Original poster

goldenochre · 22/11/2021 23:21

Thank you, i've sent the email and they've been really nice about it.

I know last week is lots of fun and I am bit sad he'll be missing out but this is something we've weighed a lot while making the decision. He won't miss the nativity as its the week before. I didn't see anything about carol service though I'm not sure if it's there.

We have 2 sets of DGPs and aunts, uncles all waiting to put up xmas trees with the kids! 😁 we are not christians but they know DS loves the whole Xmas thing!

OP posts:

Original poster

goldenochre · 01/12/2021 00:07

Thank you for all your messages!

Just when I thought everything looked clear for us then comes the new variant! The country we were supposed to travel is asking to quarantine 14 days! If positive they'll take us to quarantine facility 😑 so this holiday is cancelled 😞

I am now hoping for next term break and hopefully nothing new comes up and everything is calm...

OP posts:

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