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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Unauthorised absence in Year 13

54 replies

Wynturphelle · 20/03/2019 10:50

It looks like I may have to take my Year 13 student out of sixth form college for 10 days. The school are advising that this would be unauthorised absence and that we would be referred for a penalty fine. The school also referred me to the county council absence policy which reads ' A child continues to be of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June in the school year that they reach the age of 16. After this age, the legal requirement to participate in education or training will fall to the young person. '

As my child will be outside of the compulsory school age when we take the unauthorised absence would we still be liable for a fine as he is enrolled at the school? Is my child liable for the fine instead? Thanks.

OP posts:
TapasForTwo · 20/03/2019 10:58

10 days in year 13 is really not advisable unless it really can't be helped. I'm not sure of the legalities though.

caughtinanet · 20/03/2019 11:18

If you have to do it, you have to do it. No one will be able to tell you for definite if you'll get a fine as there are many variables.

I'd budget for the worst case and hope for the best.

Hollowvictory · 20/03/2019 11:24

Why would you have to? Surely you don't have to

Original poster
Wynturphelle · 20/03/2019 12:00

Absolutely we don't have to take him out. I do also understand it's not the best time to be absent from school and would do all we can to both front load the missed learning and catch up too. I just wondered where we stand on the penalty fine?

When we moved to this county we could not get a place at any of the primary schools for any of my three children for over half a term (as we had no fixed address) and no-one in authority seemed to care when I pleaded for school places. I do understand the reason for fines but just wanted to understand how the rules apply to a sixth former.

OP posts:
TapasForTwo · 20/03/2019 12:16

Year 13 is such an important year though. I don't understand why you would jeopardise his education for something that you don't have to do. DD was in year 13 last year, and this time of year was absolutely critical for her A levels.

TapasForTwo · 20/03/2019 12:17

Posted too soon.
IMO the fine thing is irrelevant.

havingtochangeusernameagain · 20/03/2019 12:28

Why does it have to be so long? I can understand a couple of days eg for a funeral.

Not sure you can be fined at 6th form level.

prh47bridge · 20/03/2019 14:15

Fines can only be levied if the child is of compulsory school age. A Y13 child is no longer of compulsory school age so you cannot be fined. I'm not convinced that all LAs understand this. I am quite certain some schools don't.

LittleMissFunTimes · 20/03/2019 14:19

I thought the school age had been extended, but if not this is like fining someone for removing a 4 year old out of school before the term before they are 5. Utter bollocks. They might try, but just refer them back to their own policy and the education act.

titchy · 20/03/2019 16:12

He'll only have a couple of weeks left surely?

prh47bridge · 20/03/2019 17:23

No, compulsory school age has not been extended. Young people are required to be in education or training until they are aged 18 but that did not change the definition of compulsory school age.

Original poster
Wynturphelle · 20/03/2019 17:23

It's for early next academic year and is because another family member has been selected to take part in a one-off sporting event abroad.

OP posts:
Hollowvictory · 20/03/2019 17:24

Not really a good reason.

Original poster
Wynturphelle · 20/03/2019 17:26

For clarification, he will be in Year 13 when leave would be taken if we decide to travel.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 20/03/2019 17:46

Would be better for the Y13 to stay at home. 2 weeks absence would affect final grades.

Hollowvictory · 20/03/2019 17:46

Still no. A level year

Original poster
Wynturphelle · 20/03/2019 18:18

Thanks for all the input. It's not really about whether I have a legitimate reason to take him out of college, but more to do with whether or not it is legal to do so when the child is over 16 years of age.

Secondary school have, in the past, authorised a smaller number of days for the exact same absence reason request.

OP posts:
Hollowvictory · 20/03/2019 18:19

Shouldn't it be about whether his results could be affected by a 2 week absence? You don't seem interested in that at all!

TapasForTwo · 20/03/2019 18:23

Sorry, but I am staggered that you think this is more important than getting good A level grades Hmm

Not great parenting IMO. Your priorities are completely skewed. Another Hmm

StereophonicallyChallenged · 20/03/2019 18:27

I think you'll be fine OP. As you say, it's not a legal requirement yo be in school so how can they fine for absence?! For instance a 16/17 year old at college would not be fined would they?
My ds, year 11, is missing lots of school at the moment, albeit authorised absence, due to playing a sport at scholarship level for a professional team. His school seem pleased for him, and at no point has anyone suggested he will fail exams because of this. Authorised/unauthorised makes no difference really imo.

TapasForTwo · 20/03/2019 18:27

Can I suggest you read the further education/higher education threads so you can understand just how important year 13 is., and how important not missing any school in year 13 is.

Also pay attention to noblegiraffe. She knows what she is talking about.

LittleChristmasMouse · 20/03/2019 18:28

I think it's off that you are considering taking him out of school in such an important year, because another family member is competing in a sport's event.

What's happening to your other children? Are they all being taking out of school too?

Is there no one that can stay at home to ensure that your children remain in school?

bookmum08 · 20/03/2019 18:47

Isn't a lot of Year 13 fairly independent learning anyway and with the internet your child will be able to communicate with their teachers and fellow students easily and really not miss that much. If your child (practically an adult) wants to see the relative compete in the sporting event then by Year 13 he should be able to sort out what needs to be caught up with his work by himself. Honestly people seem to think that a teens life should grind to a halt for the 4/5 years they are doing gcses and alevels. I feel so sorry for teens.
Although this obviously is against the point of what you asked - I can't see how they can fine you. A 17 year old could be married and living away from their parents and still be in 6th Form at the same time!

greathat · 20/03/2019 18:50

There's what 39 school weeks in a year. Less in year 13 as they finish April/may time and you think it's ok to take your kid out for two of them? Can they not stay with someone?

Hollowvictory · 20/03/2019 18:56

Bookmum, do you know any married 17 year olds in 6th form? Thought not. But even if you did, they'd have to postpone that honeymoon till after 6th form beca 2 weeks 9ff in year 13 is a bad idea and no, they aren't on independent study till after Easter plus uni stuff!

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