last day of term absence

[dandmh]

Hi,
Im just after peoples thoughts on a few scenarios if possible. Our dd is in secondary school, year 8, 100% attendance record, we are due to drive to dover from manchester after school friday for a ferry, we can make it ok but it would be much nicer if we left an hour or two earlier.
We've all been kids, Im not keen to get into the whos and whats of the effect on her education because we work hard with her at all other times, she is doing brilliantly and i see zero negative effect on her education in the final 90 minutes of term. We all know nothing happens then!

It's not the moral debate I seek, no offence to anyone but I get that argument, all I'm after is just the effects of each of these choices.
We have built the holiday to suit school, leaving on the friday and returning a week on sunday, ready for Monday when they return.

Options:

1. Leave at 3.15 as planned, creating marginal time pressure
2. Ask to take her out of school at around 1.30, giving reasons (which I know wont be accepted of course) but will be still be able to get her? Will there be repercussions?
3. Sick the entire day and set off in the morning instead. Feels like the easy choice, but we'd rather her not miss the WHOLE day.

Thanks!

4- tell the truth that your going away and she won’t be in all day.

thanks! (but that is 2 :) )
in which case, are there repercussions for that?

Just be honest. That’s what we’ve always done and we’ve never had a fine. Even better would be if she speaks to the teachers whose lessons she will be missing and lets them know herself

No 2 was half day. I am saying just keep
her off an go away. School won’t care at all

ah right! I took your "all day" as "she wont be in all day" rather than "she wont be in, all day" lmao hope that makes sense!

have you often taken your children out on a half day at the end of term? Also what ages? I believe secondary school is a whole other game to primary

They can't fine you for taking her out for half a day if that's what you mean by repercussions. They will mark it down as unauthorised absence that's all.

If you want to pick her up early just say she has a medical appointment. That’s what I said when I took my ds to the orthodontist this week. You are overthinking this really,just decide what you want to do and do it, your child is not in prison.

I'd take her in to get her morning mark and pick her up at lunchtime.

No repercussion for that as long as she doesn't exceed the unauthorised attendance rate the rest of the year. And I would inform reception in writing/email before hand so they are aware instead of just rocking up to pick her up.

It gives you time to pack up the car, get fuel, pump up tyres or other little jobs without her under your feet. And if she has any end of unit tests before half term she'll be able to do them in the morning at least

Yes, in fact we’re doing it this Friday. Ds2 is in year 12
His attendance is otherwise good and he is doing well in all of his subjects.

I fill in the official form online, get dc to speak to their teachers and make sure they copy up any missed work.
I always think that being honest pays off.

Our school closes at 12:20 at the end of term. Worth checking if yours does?

Collect her after afternoon registration.

Pick her up after afternoon registration and school probably won't care - it won't affect their attendance figures

Thanks very much everyone for your advice. We're just going to ring the schools and offer the pick them up after afternoon registration or at lunchtime, whichever the school prefers. Thanks again

Be honest with school... if afternoon attendance / registration is recorded at, say 1pm, then contact school to say you're collecting her at 1.30 to go on holiday but you want her to get her registration mark.

School wll likely be happy it keeps her attendance up ad shouldnt have any gripes about her going early.