Term time holiday fine question.

Hazel1980

So does anyone know the answer if it is per day or per period of holiday for the fine?

All the info I've read says fine if taken out of school for a holiday so someone that might take their child out for a couple of days at the end of term is going to be fined the same as someone that takes three weeks smack bang in the middle of term??

Spendless

We got a letter about what counts as 'exceptional circumstances' with the letter saying ruling was changing.

It gave (I'm paraphrasing)

where a holiday can not be taken due to the parent/s employment - evidence to be supplied.

where a health professional recommends a holiday due to a medical or emotional problem - evidence to be supplied.

Anything else that you are not sure counts as exceptional circs to be referred to the LA, who will treat it on a case by case

de_g.

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

I think there will still be allowances for people who's occupation dictates their holidays. We shall see.

Not at the school where I am a governor, or any of the other schools in the vicinity. I think this is almost certainly wishful thinking on your part - while they're concerned about the need to start issuing more fines, most schools actually seem pretty happy about the new rules if they will help them to exceed the floor targets for attendance.

Spendless

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

Thought as much, good news.

We have had a holiday authorised for next year under the new rules under the exceptional circumstances rules. 2 different schools as eldest at Secondary. I already have the authorisation signed from the school as written copies.

Spendless

Thought I'd go on school website and dig out the exact wording if it helps anyone. Of course not all LA's may be applying same ruling as mine.:cool: I'd forgotten the one about Service Personnel.



I have just received the attached letter outlining a change in the law regarding holidays taken during term time. As you will be aware, the law has allowed me to authorise a single holiday of up to 10 days during term time. From September 2013, this right has been removed. I will only be allowed to authorise a “Leave of Absence” in “exceptional circumstances.”
Of course this raises the question of what are “exceptional circumstances.” Our Local Authority has issued the following advice;
Where it is company/organisational policy for an employee to take leave at a specific time in the year and there is no opportunity for a family holiday in school holidays. This must be evidenced by production of the policy document of the organisation.

Service personnel returning from/scheduled to embark upon a tour of duty abroad.

Where a holiday is recommended as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue. Evidence must be provided.

Where there are other factors which the headteacher may consider to be exceptional circumstances this may be referred to the Local Authority for advice.

Spendless

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

I knew it wouldn't be as harsh as some are making out!

Husband was discharged from having Cancer earlier this year. We always said that when that day came we would have a special hol. As we didn't know when he would be discharged (his appts became out of sync) we couldn't book anything in advance and when he was discharged we were waiting for a date for DD to have an op.

peachyprice

Mojisola wrote: »

Are holidays ever "exceptional circumstances"?

Depends on your POV.

My husband hasn't had a summer holiday with us for 3 years due to the fact that his holiday time is rostered and set in stone, none having fallen in school hols.

Looking ahead at next years options and the way the roster works he was either going to have the last week of june and first 2 weeks of July off or the last 2 weeks of July and 1st week of August. If he'd been rostered the first option I would have seriously considered taking DD out of school for the last week of his holidays, knowing full well that the last two weeks of school are filled with sports days, fun week, classroom cleaning etc, she wouldn't have missed any education whatsoever. I just wasn't prepared to go 4 years without him having a holiday with us.

Having looked into it I think that would be considered exceptional circumstances because it's completely beyond our control, and yes I do consider it to be. Our daughter is growing up, he doesn't have that many years left holidaying with her.

peachyprice

de_g. wrote: »

Not at the school where I am a governor, or any of the other schools in the vicinity. I think this is almost certainly wishful thinking on your part - while they're concerned about the need to start issuing more fines, most schools actually seem pretty happy about the new rules if they will help them to exceed the floor targets for attendance.

It's not the schools policy to decide though, it's government policy.

chickenpants

pink_princess wrote: »

After seeing 5 children through high school with 1 to go (Age 14) I think you may be over rating schooling.

1-2 weeks out a year won't harm if the kids are told that they must work hard all year. No backchat, homework to a good standard.

I think parents are the biggest influence to a child's grades.

I hope you don't say that to your child's teacher :eek:

bestpud

chickenpants wrote: »

I hope you don't say that to your child's teacher :eek:

Most realistic teachers would agree.