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School holidays

Find half term and school holiday activity ideas.

Original poster

Need advise about school fine on term time holiday

81 replies

Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 19:53

Hi just wondering if I can have any advise I have a little boy who's just turned 5 due to go into year 1, I am going on holiday in August and won't be back till the 7th of September, this holiday was booked as a surprise and I had no input in the dates. My son is due to start year 1 on the 3rd of September meaning he will miss 4 days but the 2nd of September is a inset day so ino this will be classed as 5 days an I could get fined. Its my first time doing this but I just wanted the best way to go about it and any advise, I was going to ring the school tomorrow to let them know as I don't want them thinking he just hasn't turned up, but not really sure what to do and say. If anyone could advise me on this that's would be great thanks.

OP posts:
Cantchooseaname · 18/07/2024 19:56

His absence will only be for the days he should be i school- so the training day won’t count. You’d be unlucky to be fined for 4 days.

User9088 · 18/07/2024 19:56

He can't be in on inset so that won't count as a day absent. It will be 4 days. I would just tell them. It will be unauthorised but where I am 4 days unauthorised wouldn't trigger a fine. Just make sure it's a one off in that school year.

quickoffthemark · 18/07/2024 19:57

have you booked yet?

id really try to avoid missing the start of the school year.

modgepodge · 18/07/2024 19:57

The inset day won’t count so it’s 4 days, 8 sessions

it will go down as unauthorised. Rules on this are tightening up starting in August (in England). I believe 10 sessions (so 5 days) will be fined as before, but whereas usually before you’d only be fined if they were consecutive (so 4 days then a separate one day wouldn’t get fined), now it’s just total absences within a certain number of weeks. If this happens a second time you get a higher fine and the third time you are taken to court and I think I read the fine will be £2500.

sounds like if that’s the only unauthorised absence you’ll be ok fine wise.

quickoffthemark · 18/07/2024 19:57

who booked it? who has the audacity to book you and your young son on to a holiday without talking to you?

Roserunner · 18/07/2024 19:58

They can only mark him down as absent for 4 days as the school is only open for him to attend 4 days so you shouldn't get fined.

If you're worried you can just tell them he is away from 3-6th sept, they have no need to know he won't be able to come in on the inset day.

Beth216 · 18/07/2024 20:01

Have a fantastic time OP and don't give it a second thought, you're unlikely to be fined for four days. Just don't take any other unauthorised time after that. Email the school on the last day and tell them he won't be in for the first four days of school in September. He's barely 5 years old, this will not impact his education in any way.

Original poster
Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:03

They do count inset says now welk it says can on new laws.
Thanks for your advice.
As for the holiday it is already booked and as for who had the audacity that would be my dad my sons grandad. He done it as a surprise and it was very kind of him to do so, just rather I would of known the dates as it isn't ideal him missing out on first week of school.

OP posts:
quickoffthemark · 18/07/2024 20:04

very nice of him
but i would be annoyed because it makes things difficult for my son

candyisdandybutliquorisquicker · 18/07/2024 20:06

As kind a gesture though it is, I would reschedule the trip. The first few days of school are really important - and special! I wouldn't want my child missing that for anything other than a real emergency.

Mateja9 · 18/07/2024 20:07

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

S1lverCandle · 18/07/2024 20:07

Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:03

They do count inset says now welk it says can on new laws.
Thanks for your advice.
As for the holiday it is already booked and as for who had the audacity that would be my dad my sons grandad. He done it as a surprise and it was very kind of him to do so, just rather I would of known the dates as it isn't ideal him missing out on first week of school.

Doesn't he know his grandson is supposed to be at school during this holiday?!

quickoffthemark · 18/07/2024 20:07

candyisdandybutliquorisquicker · 18/07/2024 20:06

As kind a gesture though it is, I would reschedule the trip. The first few days of school are really important - and special! I wouldn't want my child missing that for anything other than a real emergency.

agreed

he will start and all the children will know their new classroom, seats, routine etc

i know it doesn’t seem like a big deal… but to a 5 year old, it is

Original poster
Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:08

I can not reschedule the trip we r going to egypt, it would cost too much money and its been booked there is no other way to go about it.

OP posts:
quickoffthemark · 18/07/2024 20:08

@Mateja9 you would refer the school to an online zumba class booking system?

lunar1 · 18/07/2024 20:09

I really don't think it would be fair to your son to miss those days, it's incredible how quickly the find friends and fall into a routine. For the sake of a few days, he's going to be the new boy for months.

quickoffthemark · 18/07/2024 20:09

Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:08

I can not reschedule the trip we r going to egypt, it would cost too much money and its been booked there is no other way to go about it.

well op there is
but you’re choosing not to

🤷

Original poster
Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:12

I didn't ask for your judgements about my son, he's already in school and been there an got friends who he see regularly in and out of school. He will not be the new boy as they all know eacjother and have for years. I can not come home early from my holiday as it would cost too much money as I've said it is already all booked.

OP posts:
Ilovemyshed · 18/07/2024 20:12

Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:08

I can not reschedule the trip we r going to egypt, it would cost too much money and its been booked there is no other way to go about it.

Honestly. Sadly you cannot go on the trip. First day at school and all the resultant grief from missing that. Prioritise your son.

candyisdandybutliquorisquicker · 18/07/2024 20:12

Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:08

I can not reschedule the trip we r going to egypt, it would cost too much money and its been booked there is no other way to go about it.

Then you don't go? Egypt isn't going anywhere but your son can't get those first days back. I really wouldn't put my son in that position.

jmh740 · 18/07/2024 20:13

I'd be more worried about him missing his first few days of school that will have a huge impact on him

Pipecleanerrevival · 18/07/2024 20:14

Omg the drama over missing a few days of school is ridiculous. Go enjoy your holiday OP, your kid will be fine, just like the thousands of others that miss the first few days of term for whatever reason.

Original poster
Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:15

My son isn't missing out on his holiday either, he looking forward to it how is 4 days going to impact him really though? He's knows everyone in the class in and out of school.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sarahpennoxx · 18/07/2024 20:17

I regret even asking, people just like to judge other people. Acting like school is the be all and end all. He will be fine because he knows littlery every kid in his class I've stated.

OP posts:
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