unauthorised abscence from school

Seakay

wizzkid wrote:

I could be wrong, but I think it is only the schools reputation that is spoiled with 'unauthorised absence'. What are they going to do about it anyway? they (the kids) are far too young for this to go on any record that could be highlighted for potential employers or univercities. I would immagine that they are just trying to frighten you. Go and have a wonderful holiday!

Theoretically, parents can be prosecuted:

"Truancy rates have broken a new record. In 2005 almost 1.4 million pupils skipped lessons, nearly half a million more than 10 years ago. This has happened despite close to £1 billion being poured into the problem by Government, including measures which have seen the parents of some offenders jailed.

(Independent, 5 October 2006) "

although in practice it is only the parents of persistent truants who have been taken to court so far.

chatta

tired_mum wrote:

this is really putting a downer on a hol we have been working hard for i dont know what i will walk back to a fine or maybe court it is really worrying me i wish i hadnt told the truth and said when we came back from hol they were ill but it isnt in my nature to tell fibs and i dont want my kids to think it is acceptable

Just send them a postcard and enjoy your holiday Call it a practical geography lesson

tired_mum

hi all
many thanks for advice given
as a family and the daughter of a teacher i understand the importance of education and that is while i feel that this will be the last year that i can take them out of school

whilst we are away we will be encouraging the kids to speak spanish the older ones do this at school we will also be going to a school and village to distribute clothing and school items that these people do not have i feel it is important for my kids to see the other side of the coin there is also lots of things for them to see and do and things to taste that they will remember more so than from a classroom
i am not excusing the fact that they should be in school but there attendance is otherwise good and when they took time off in oct they completed all the work that was set as extra for them and also stayed to do catch up after school

Seakay

Given all that you have told us in #14 I think that you should make an appointment to see the form teacher/head of year/head of school of the senior school and tell them about these positive educational aspects of your holiday. It wouldn't hurt to do this before starting on a more confrontational route, and it could be that the refusal was just an automatic response which might be modified when it is made clear that you're not just taking your children off for a sun and sea trip.

emmaBZ

or dont bother asking at all and send them back with a note saying they were ill !!!!

chatta

emmaBZ wrote:

or dont bother asking at all and send them back with a note saying they were ill !!!!

And the suntan isnt a suntan, it was a side effect of the illness they had

tired_mum

many thanks for all replies i think i will mull this one over we will be going as to leave the older 2 at home would have devestating consequences on their emotional behaviour will decide what to do after speaking to hubby

Fait_accompli

Seakay wrote:

Given all that you have told us in #14 I think that you should make an appointment to see the form teacher/head of year/head of school of the senior school and tell them about these positive educational aspects of your holiday. It wouldn't hurt to do this before starting on a more confrontational route, and it could be that the refusal was just an automatic response which might be modified when it is made clear that you're not just taking your children off for a sun and sea trip.

I had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC when I was 13 which meant I'd be away during half term and 4 days of school. My mum wrote to my head of year (and my sister's) and explained what an opportunity this was and that it'd be highly educational. No problems at all (but then, I was a bit of a geek!). Maybe I took a bit of Maths work to do too which helped to gain permission, but I didn't mind.

It was a cool experience - the White House, [STRIKE]massive shopping malls,[/STRIKE] Abraham Lincoln's memorial etc and I think it would've been a shame to miss out on a new experience.

Becles

All holiday leave is classed as unathorised absence at our school, unless there is an exceptional reason for it.

I booked my whole wedding and honeymoon in April, going on all the previous years where my sons school has broken up on Maundy Thursday, then had Easter Monday week and the week after off. However when the holidays came out, the head had decided to go with the conventional week before and week after Easter off. As it wasn't practical to move all the wedding arrangments and honeymoon so we stayed in the Easter hols, he authorised it!

The children kept diaries on holiday and took them into school to show what they had learned about Mayan history, tropical fish, Mexican culture etc.

pippamannequin

3 years ago on Boxing Day we took our kids to San Diego to see my half sister who I hadnt seen since I was 14. I asked for permission as the holiday went over into the new term by just over 1 week.
I was given permission at my younger sons school but not at my older sons school. Both children had 100% attendence records.
Neither children new of the holiday it was a surprise and I did not want them to know.
I simply wrote a letter to my oldest sons school, stating that I felt to deny him the opportunity to do this trip would be criminal in my opinion as so much would be gained from the trip that would not be gained in school in the whole life of his education. I asked them to supply him with some work to do if they felt that he would miss anything important. I asked them to justify it on a personal level and not on a government standing percentage etc level. They didnt.
It appealled to their better judgement and they then authorised the trip.

Maybe try the same!
Good luck and have a fantastic time!