Exceptional circumstances for authorized absence

[Buzzmil]

I did make my son head teach aware back in February about my son potential transfer from his current school in the UK to one back in the Caribbean for the new school year. I filled out the request sheet to take him out of school from the 3rd of July because he have an assessment/ interview on the 4th and 5th July, because they are the last day of the school back on the island before they go on summer break.
I explain to the head teacher the reason for the absence and if she require further information I am happy to provide evidence for the absence, but straight away I was told that it wouldn’t be authorised because she can only do it under “exceptional circumstances”. Has anyone come across a definition of. "exceptional circumstances" ?

If your son is leaving anyway then it really doesn't matter if he has unauthorised absences. It only matters to the school, not you.

Does it matter if it's recorded as unauthorised? People take their kids out of school for all sorts of reasons that schools can't authorise.

If he's leaving the country permanently you need to provide them with copies of flight bookings, his new address and evidence that he's been accepted for and is attending school there, as well. And conformation from all people with parental responsibility that they are aware and agree it is going ahead.

You'll still have unauthorised absence from the day you go until they satisfy the local authority's Children Missing from Education policy (which may extend into the new academic year), but it at least makes it easier as in not being a clear safeguarding risk.

Today his school sent back the outcome of the request with the penalty notice that would be payable, so should I disregard the slip from the school?

@NeverDropYourMooncup He wouldn't be leaving the country permanently as yet until I get the go ahead from the school whilst am back home in the caribbean. Once accepted he will stay in the caribbean to do his primary schooling. I did mention to the head teacher about providing evidence, but she didn't entertained the conversation.

I assume you are moving and leaving the school at that date, so it doesn't seem relevant. Just ensure the authorities are informed for safeguarding.

Or will you be returning for a period after the assessment?

Edit as cross-posted. Will he be staying in UK school if not accepted?

That's ridiculous.
As far as I know going to look at a new school because you are moving should be counted as an authorised absence.
I am sure it even has a dedicated code for the registrar (I'm not a teacher so cannot confirm that 100%).
Are you sure they haven't misunderstood somewhere along the line.

The local authority will have details of how to request that the penalty notice is withdrawn (there's no right of appeal, but you can show it's in error as he's left the country permanently) - the difficulty the school has is that people can and do say that they're moving, but then the child comes back in September talking about the lovely long holiday they had.

What you could do if you are absolutely certain that this is going ahead, is advise the Head that you are withdrawing him as of the school day before he goes to electively home educate (which means you would need to engage with the LA EHE team if they contact you - until you leave the country - assuming that you are going with him). He then wouldn't have a school place here to come back to in September and they'd be able to offer his place to the child highest on any waiting list, so you'd have to be sure it's happening, as if it falls through and he returns, you'd have to find him a place somewhere else. You'll also need to engage with the LA CME team as well so they can authorise his removal from the register.

It's possibly a bit inconvenient/irritating when you're busy making arrangements, but it's all done out of a desire to protect children and ensure they access an education; it's far better than the alternative 'Oh, OK then, bye' and no attempt to be sure they're safe.

Ah, cross posted. It's an unauthorised holiday, then, as he's returning for the last few days/couple of weeks before the end of term(? have I got that right?) and you will have to pay the fine.

They can’t issue you with a penalty notice until after the absence! Are you sure it wasn’t just a notice explaining what the fine might be?
Are you planning on him going to the Caribbean for 2 days, returning to the UK then going back again at the end of term, or are you just planning on going and not returning?

Presumably you will be absent for more than 5 days? ( unless I misunderstood and you really are flying out to the Caribbean for 3 days!), in which case you will be fined.
If you are absent less than 5( in my county it is 4.5 days rather than 5 but other counties vary) days, the absence still won't be authorised but you won't be fined- unless previous absences count.

Has he had any other unauthorised absences? Because there shouldn't be a fine if he's only out of school for three days?
If he doesn't get into the school in the Caribbean will he be back to his UK school?
Maybe it LEA dependant by my ds had two taster days at secondary school, both of which were authorised. So I don't see why that wouldn't be the case with you.
Until the official letter comes through I wouldn't worry. As and when it does come through, providing you have some evidence of the interview process, I'm sure you could appeal. But if he's not had any other unauthorised absences, you shouldn't receive the letter.