Term-Time Holiday Fine - the law?

nodiscount

Hi

I want to start by saying that school is very important and I don't let my DD be absent unless completely necessary but....my husband works in the care sector where getting holidays in school hols is nigh on impossible.

We were hoping to go this coming half-term (he will be between jobs) but the CRB check took so long that this hope has been dashed too. If I follow the rules it means no holiday with my DD until she leaves school in 12 years time!

Told Head teacher this but she says a holiday is not an exceptional circumstance.

So what exactly do you have to do to trigger a fine? Take half day off? one day? I can't find any guidance on this. I looked at the legislation but I'm still none the wiser.
I hate breaking rules and understand that attendance at school is important but I would really like a holiday with my little girl and her dad...:(

supermum4

Not sure of the legislation but i'm taking my child out of school for 2 days before half term (holiday booked last year) as going away for 10 days and we are being fined £60 each my husband and I . think it just depends on the head teacher really

balletshoes

this recent thread on the same subject might help -

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4752606

peachyprice

If you have documentary evidence that your OH cannot take time off during school holidays it will be considered exceptional circumstances and you will be allowed to take him out of school without penalty.

bitemebankers

Why wouldn't you just lie and tell them the kid is sick?

taurusgb

bitemebankers wrote: »

Why wouldn't you just lie and tell them the kid is sick?

Because that would be a bad attitude to teach to a child perhaps?

bitemebankers

taurusgb wrote: »

Because that would be a bad attitude to teach to a child perhaps?

I don't see why: it's an unfair system. The alternative is you teach your child they should just submit to whatever unfair situation they find themselves in - I don't think that's a great lesson either.

gingin_2

bitemebankers wrote: »

I don't see why: it's an unfair system. The alternative is you teach your child they should just submit to whatever unfair situation they find themselves in - I don't think that's a great lesson either.

But they are not really submitting as they are the ones taking unauthorised time off school. I'd take the time off but pay the fine rather than lie and even worse put my child under the pressure of potentially having to lie.

bitemebankers

gingin wrote: »

But they are not really submitting as they are the ones taking unauthorised time off school.

You're not making any sense. There are two choices:

1. Submit to the (unfair) authority and don't take the child out of school

2. Don't submit the the authority and either lie or just pay the fine.

I'd take the time off but pay the fine rather than lie and even worse put my child under the pressure of potentially having to lie.

That's the other (more expensive) option. This is a Money Saving forum though...

Mojisola

bitemebankers wrote: »

I don't see why: it's an unfair system. The alternative is you teach your child they should just submit to whatever unfair situation they find themselves in - I don't think that's a great lesson either.

So when your child lies to you about where he/she has been because he/she thinks your rules are unfair, that will be alright?

gingin_2

bitemebankers wrote: »

You're not making any sense. There are two choices:

1. Submit to the (unfair) authority and don't take the child out of school

2. Don't submit the the authority and either lie or just pay the fine.



That's the other (more expensive) option. This is a Money Saving forum though...

Okay, yes, I misunderstood.

When it comes to integrity over moneysaving I'd prefer to keep my integrity, even if it costs.