Taking children out of school a week before summer hols as I am disabled.

OneYorkshireLass

sunnyone wrote: »

She had this information in her signature for long enough, it is getting paid for by her DLA/tax credits back payment.

If you cant sit for long how can you travel long haul?

And thats only one of the inconsistances in her posts, there are so many more.

Andy, you know all this because you posted on the relevant threads under another AE.

Are you on FF? (If you are you'll know what it is, if not then please ignore me )

mrs_sparrow

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

mrs_sparrow .. .. you said .. .. """Because we are taking the children on a respite break for disabled children and their families"""

- you are in that privileged group I mentioned a eight threads ago that are allowed consideration for leave, and even extended leave
- your case and the argument leosayer39 is putting forward go together like creosote & crème
- nobody in their right or wrong mind wants the indignity of a Parenting Order made against them.

Richie, we have just had one day refused for the paralympics - you know, that once in a lifetime event. I am not confident that we are going to get the time authorised so I am making sure I know ALL the rules - especially seeing as the school is having a nice shiny extension.... it did cross my mind that might be wanting more money from somewhere.

My friend is a teacher and she has kids in her class (same LEA) that are off some one day a week, some 2 days a week - they are the parents they need to be targeting. My friend got a letter from the legal department last year as her daughter was off ill 'too many times' this was despite it being the school that sent her home each time. However, she is a solicitor - and the letter was not very well worded so she had a field day with them!!

mrs_sparrow

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Level playing field - become a politician and sort it out. Until then be a good grandparent and do what it takes for your bairns - pay the 'in term price' price or lumber your own child with a Fixed Penalty Notice costing up to £100 for each of your grandchildren.

She has been told it is £100 a day fine, £50, per child, per day. Going up to £60 per child, per day one assumes.

However, again, if the local authority must publish a local code of conduct which sets out how the penalty notice scheme will work for all schools in the area - the school cannot implement the fining system just because they want to, the fines are chased by the LEA and monies are paid to the school.

The school/LEA mention nothing of this policy on their website or on the school website - so they are not allowed to fine. Unless this is challenged schools will continue to lie and decieve parents because they want their attendance figures to look good.

Our school used to give everyone 10 days and the head told me that the Attendance Officer had been in and she had got in trouble because she was giving too many kids time off. So the head did not care, the Attendance Officer is the one telling her we cannot have holidays. Moreso, she is encouraging parents to lie about going to a wedding overseas so when the Attendance Office next comes in, they have reasons for giving people time off.

However, when Y6 took their SATs recently the rest of the classes had to be quiet and this meant they did nothing all week except 'Jubilee Art'. For one whole week - my kids were overjoyed. And this is justified how when they tell you 'it is in the interests of your child' that they turn down a request for one day off to go to the Paralympics Athletics as these were the only tickets that we got drawn for. Interestingly, they have given some tickets away in a draw at school and the child that won then needs a day off to go. I wonder if he/she got their day off authorised?

sunnyone

mrs_sparrow wrote: »

Its her money she can do what she wants with it. And if she wants to go on holiday she can go on holiday. Would you prefer if she was using it for take aways every night??

And when you fly long haul you do not have to sit still for long, just for take off and landing - in between you can get up and wander around the plane.

She must be mistaken in so many of her posts, when you post you cant do things you dont then post you more than did them the next day but did post such things.

Travelling in first class she would be fine according to her, she detailed how she would cope but how can £2,600 pay for a family of 6 to travel first class to the west indies for a wedding?

Richie-from-the-Boro

mrs_sparrow wrote: »

She has been told it is £100 a day fine, £50, per child, per day. Going up to £60 per child, per day one assumes.

However, again, if the local authority must publish a local code of conduct which sets out how the penalty notice scheme will work for all schools in the area - the school cannot implement the fining system just because they want to, the fines are chased by the LEA and monies are paid to the school.

The school/LEA mention nothing of this policy on their website or on the school website - so they are not allowed to fine. Unless this is challenged schools will continue to lie and decieve parents because they want their attendance figures to look good.

Our school used to give everyone 10 days and the head told me that the Attendance Officer had been in and she had got in trouble because she was giving too many kids time off. So the head did not care, the Attendance Officer is the one telling her we cannot have holidays. Moreso, she is encouraging parents to lie about going to a wedding overseas so when the Attendance Office next comes in, they have reasons for giving people time off.

However, when Y6 took their SATs recently the rest of the classes had to be quiet and this meant they did nothing all week except 'Jubilee Art'. For one whole week - my kids were overjoyed. And this is justified how when they tell you 'it is in the interests of your child' that they turn down a request for one day off to go to the Paralympics Athletics as these were the only tickets that we got drawn for. Interestingly, they have given some tickets away in a draw at school and the child that won then needs a day off to go. I wonder if he/she got their day off authorised?

I'm not clear about some of what you are saying, so one at a time:

- the size of the fine was £50/100 going up to £60/120 for each child if the fine is not paid within 42 days
- for other s444(1) of the Education Act 1996 issues the size of the fine magistrates issue can be up to £1000
- who makes the decision to fine is the headteacher, the LA and its associated legal dept's carry out the process
- in fact its precisely the Education Welfare dept of the LA that manage the system and issue the fine, they also authorised the head's
- LA's publishing a Code of Conduct, .. .. they do all of them following the SoS guidelines, only the delivery is down to the LA
- if an Attendance Officer was allowing 10+ days when the rule is 10- then s/he should be sanctioned and brought into line

On the issue of the Olympics I do have some sympathy, but must assume that the children concerned did not meet the threshold for the application, ie, absence days, parental co-operation etc.

Prior to the Olympics commencing the Government [reiterated existing rules] warned all Public bodies and ACAS and others put out information on unauthorised absence for the private sector.

CKhalvashi

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

I'm not clear about some of what you are saying, so one at a time:

- the size of the fine was £50/100 going up to £60/120 for each child if the fine is not paid within 42 days
- for other s444(1) of the Education Act 1996 issues the size of the fine magistrates issue can be up to £1000
- who makes the decision to fine is the headteacher, the LA and its associated legal dept's carry out the process
- in fact its precisely the Education Welfare dept of the LA that manage the system and issue the fine, they also authorised the head's
- LA's publishing a Code of Conduct, .. .. they do all of them following the SoS guidelines, only the delivery is down to the LA
- if an Attendance Officer was allowing 10+ days when the rule is 10- then s/he should be sanctioned and brought into line

On the issue of the Olympics I do have some sympathy, but must assume that the children concerned did not meet the threshold for the application, ie, absence days, parental co-operation etc.

Prior to the Olympics commencing the Government [reiterated existing rules] warned all Public bodies and ACAS and others put out information on unauthorised absence for the private sector.

We've been perfectly lenient during the olympics, but there again, we've had the advantage of being able to get students in to cover work costing £300+/day (including overtime) for minimum wage; part of the reason why I encourage time off in the summer, so we're not paying large overtime.

There are thresholds that have to be met; if there was a death in the family abroad, then it should be reasonable to take children out of school in term time, however I have been made aware (and subsequently got the decision overturned) of a case involving a disabled student going on respite trip with a charity and this was refused. I feel it's reasonable, however the school obviously did not.

CK

mrs_sparrow

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

I'm not clear about some of what you are saying, so one at a time:

- the size of the fine was £50/100 going up to £60/120 for each child if the fine is not paid within 42 days
The poster said that the school told her that it was £50 per child, per day. So 5 days would be £250 each child - £500 fine for one week, 2 kids. This is what she is so riled about - I don't think £50 each would have been an issue.
- for other s444(1) of the Education Act 1996 issues the size of the fine magistrates issue can be up to £1000
- who makes the decision to fine is the headteacher, the LA and its associated legal dept's carry out the process Agreed*
- in fact its precisely the Education Welfare dept of the LA that manage the system and issue the fine, they also authorised the head's Agreed*
- LA's publishing a Code of Conduct, .. .. they do all of them following the SoS guidelines, only the delivery is down to the LA *The DoE website states that the Code of Conduct should be clear and accessible to all and should be on their website, if they are going to fine they should be telling the parents. It applies to all schools in the LA, however, some schools can choose not to fine parents. The poster said there was nothing on the school or LA website about this policy.
- if an Attendance Officer was allowing 10+ days when the rule is 10- then s/he should be sanctioned and brought into line
Sorry to be dim, I do not understand the +10/-10 days.

On the issue of the Olympics I do have some sympathy, but must assume that the children concerned did not meet the threshold for the application, ie, absence days, parental co-operation etc.
It's the first day of term, my kids had a total of 5 days each off last year - less than those when they closed the school through strikes/snow/broken heating/occasional days (but we do not mention those of course!!)

Prior to the Olympics commencing the Government [reiterated existing rules] warned all Public bodies and ACAS and others put out information on unauthorised absence for the private sector.

I put my comments in red, I hope that helps explain things more.

Ritchie, for me it is more than that, it is the tone of the letter I received with the nonsense it spouted. To be honest, I'd probably pay a fine and be done with it, if the truancy person comes a calling I will show them everything. There are 150 spaces available so we have booked it now to ensure we have a space - however, the school was very good and with no main head teacher the school is rapidly going downhill.

Lots of children are leaving and this speaks for itself in all honestly. While my children do like going there, it is going downhill FAST.

Last term when the SAT's were on my daughter did no work at all, they spent a week making one 'jubilee art' picture as they were not allowed to make a noise. I could have taken them on holiday instead of making one A4 picture of the London Eye for the entire school week. That in itself is a joke!!

My son's class spent several weeks without a teacher as she was sick and there was no-one to fill in. Same as the year before.

My son (with Special Needs) has been kept in after school for not finishing his colouring in. I turned up to get him and they said no, he was not coming out yet as he had not finished his work. I wish I had known then what I know now however.....

I could go on but there are plenty of things my kids school needs to do 'in the interests of my child' - and when the bullying starts again (as it will) I'll be in there kicking some bigger ar-se than last year 'in the best interest of my child' too. You cannot spout all of that stuff in a letter if, what you are doing day to day, is not in the best interest of my child!!

Richie-from-the-Boro

mrs_sparrow wrote: »

I put my comments in red, I hope that helps explain things more.

The school is a team of people all working to one goal, from the loo cleaner to the headmaster across all pay grades. In order for this to happen within the complexities of legislation a set of rules & procedures are written out. One of these handed down by the Secretary of State says a maximum of 10 (-) days unofficial pupil absence in addition to the 175 days, the almost half a year already available for for holidays / cultural / activities and family time.

The head is accountable for “G” unauthorised holiday / leave of absence rates above 10 days, an attendance officer """encouraging parents to lie about going to a wedding overseas""" would be working directly against all the school staff team, and should be sanctioned .. .. meaning sacked / demoted / re-trained / redeployed.

As to the point I'm trying to make. Everyone has what they think is a reasonable request :

- Mrs Sparrow .. .. Olympics
- Mr Brown .. .. a once in a death-time funeral in Spain
- Mrs Green .. .. a once in a life-time wedding in Atlanta
- Mrs Orange .. once in a life-time visit to a long lost relative in Australia
- Mrs Chav .. .. a once in a life-time chance to spend the proceeds of drugs on root beer and chilli burgers in Miami
- Mr Black .. .. once in a lifetime-time visit to Lourdes because they are committed Catholics
- Mr Islam .. .. an essential once in a lifetime undertaking to pilgrimage and performing the Hadj
- Mr & Mrs all the other 99% of the school parents .. .. who just want a holiday term time because its cheaper

Can no one see that a child has almost a whole half a year [190 school days and 175 school holidays] not at school - free to do anything anywhere in the big round world. How the heck does the school administer rules laid down when each parent has what they see as a 'special right'.

Enjoy you time at the Olympics Mrs Sparrow

annie1975_2

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

The school is a team of people all working to one goal, from the loo cleaner to the headmaster across all pay grades. In order for this to happen within the complexities of legislation a set of rules & procedures are written out. One of these handed down by the Secretary of State says a maximum of 10 (-) days unofficial pupil absence in addition to the 175 days, the almost half a year already available for for holidays / cultural / activities and family time.

The head is accountable for “G” unauthorised holiday / leave of absence rates above 10 days, an attendance officer """encouraging parents to lie about going to a wedding overseas""" would be working directly against all the school staff team, and should be sanctioned .. .. meaning sacked / demoted / re-trained / redeployed.

As to the point I'm trying to make. Everyone has what they think is a reasonable request :

- Mrs Sparrow .. .. Olympics
- Mr Brown .. .. a once in a death-time funeral in Spain
- Mrs Green .. .. a once in a life-time wedding in Atlanta
- Mrs Orange .. once in a life-time visit to a long lost relative in Australia
- Mrs Chav .. .. a once in a life-time chance to spend the proceeds of drugs on root beer and chilli burgers in Miami
- Mr Black .. .. once in a lifetime-time visit to Lourdes because they are committed Catholics
- Mr Islam .. .. an essential once in a lifetime undertaking to pilgrimage and performing the Hadj
- Mr & Mrs all the other 99% of the school parents .. .. who just want a holiday term time because its cheaper

Can no one see that a child has almost a whole half a year [190 school days and 175 school holidays] not at school - free to do anything anywhere in the big round world. How the heck does the school administer rules laid down when each parent has what they see as a 'special right'.

Enjoy you time at the Olympics Mrs Sparrow

But that almost half of a year they are off people cant afford to go on holiday,as they are charged more than double for their holidays...Some might say well dont go away then,but when you work hard all year round your entitled to an holiday..
Like with our school a few years back they decided 4 weeks before summer holidays school will be closing 1 week early,and then will be going back a week later ,so they had just over 8 weeks off school.But it was ok for them to do that..Not thinking people had to get childcare last minute..
I know you shouldn't take kids out of school,but sometimes needs must Im afraid.

gingergee

sunnyone wrote: »

She had this information in her signature for long enough, it is getting paid for by her DLA/tax credits back payment.

If you cant sit for long how can you travel long haul?

And thats only one of the inconsistances in her posts, there are so many more.

Andy, you know all this because you posted on the relevant threads under another AE.

A; i got a lot more than that in back pay
B; I am going long haul to get wed, correct, not first class though as, due to being pointed out here, its too dam blinking expensive!
C; Who said i cant sit for long times? I have a variable condition, even DLA are aware of that!

Its not cost me 3k, a dam site more, 3k was how much i had saved up for it myself. I meerly pointed out that our family holiday next year (not my wedding) will be taken during term time. And i was awarded my charity holiday before i booked the wedding, trust me, if i could have afforded to go at that time i would. This is why we are fund raising for the charity, they did an amazing thing for us. Cant believe im still getting grief over this...i took myself off for 2 months cos of it! I rub people up wrong, that was pointed out by some kind poster..for that i sincerely apologise!!