DD won't be in school first 2 days of term - help me write the letter to school...

[minko]

DD's school is very strict about unauthorised leave (it affects their OFSTED reprot apparently), and we've never doen it before but DH can't take any other time off so our holiday over runs into autumn term.

What do I say apart from the obvious? What do I apologise for precisely??? How do I placate the headmistress...?

She's about to start yr 1 btw

just be straight and say:

DD will be absent from school on date due to family holiday.
Yours sincerely

minko

TBH, its your child, your choice and she is only 5!

"We have taken DD out of school to go on holiday. This is because we are very naughty. We apologise for blatantly flouting school rules and we will try not to do it again. Please do not take it out on DD that she has silly parents."

Our school has no authorised absences in september or may

I'm a teacher and whilst it sometimes affects ofsted stuff [a teeny bit] and is somtimes a bit tricky for teachers - go for it! Family holiday time is very important.

Maybe acknowledge that this is inconvenient for the school but that you believe this special family time is very important too and that it was the only time you could go.

Then send it, forget about it and have a fabulous time!!!!

Dear Headmistress

Due to my husband's working commitments, we have been forced to choose between two dates for our annual family holiday.

Our choices consist of running into the new school term, or missing the very-important-to-the-status-of-the -school year 1 SATS. Obviously, missing the first two days of the school year is preferable to missing important assessments, so I hope that on this occasion you are able to authorise this absence.

Yours sincerely

Suck up mum xxxx

Dear Headmistress

Due to my husband's working commitments, we have been forced to choose between two dates for our annual family holiday.

Our choices consist of running into the new school term, or missing the very-important-to-the-status-of-the -school year 1 SATS. Obviously, missing the first two days of the school year is preferable to missing important assessments, so I hope that on this occasion you are able to authorise this absence.

Yours sincerely

Suck up mum xxxx

One copy for your records, obviously

Many thanks all,
I know it will be unauthorised leave. All leave is unauthorised at DD's school. It had been suggested that I call from France and do a sickie on the first day of term - as I know a few mums are - but I know it would make me feel crap and I hate lying.

Thanks for the suggestions though...

Dear Headmistress

DD will be putting the final touches to her autumn suntan and wardrobe as the rest of her peer group returns to school.

She is planning a dazzling entrance during Assembly, closely followed by photographers from HEAT magazine, two days into the start of the new term.

With all good wishes

Nonconformist Mum

(Go on - you know you want to )

Arf!! Absolutely!

Our headteacher has said (off the record) that, although she has to put on the stern face - she totally understands people not paying premium fees for flights/holidays that fit with the school terms.

Just write and state that she won't be there.

dd was going to miss first 2 days of term cos of a holiday (since cancelled it ) and there was no prob with the school allowing it. Do they not have an inset day on first day anyway

We did this last year. We sent a lovely letter and offers of help in the future from my husband's job but to no avail. Went unauthorised anyway.

What difference does authorised or non-authorised leave make anyway? Apartrom to their OFTED report?

BTW term starts on a Thursday, so we're missing that and Friday. WEdnesday is an inset day.

ds1 is missing first day of term due to holiday combined with family wedding. I said in the letter that while it is not ideal to miss the start of term, as he is happy and well-settled at school it is unlikely to be a problem. Head sent very nice letter back saying no problem enjoy the hold.

There was a headteacher on the telly the other day who said he understood that some parents could only take annual leave at certain times due to work. He said his school supported this as long as was only occasional disruption. I would just be honest about things.

All leave at our school is classified as unauthorised as it does affect the report. However, what do you care! Write your letter stating what you are doing and forget about it! Enjoy your hols - I am a yr one teacher and the first couple of days are just making things and getting to know the kids.

I agree with pudding-just write a very short note explaining what you are doing and enjoy your holiday.