school fines for out of term holidays?

Tiddlywinks

Why have you chosen to take your children out of school? There are plenty of school holiday periods that you could have chosen instead.

emmy05

there may be plenty of school holidays, but its hard to get the time off when you both work, summer holidays are full of everyone else wanting time off from work as well. and why should we be dictated to about when to take the kids on holiday when the holiday companies charge up to double the amount because of these insane rules for not missing school. swings and roundabouts, but its not as if youre getting anything more or different when you pay the high prices in school holidays either.

Spendless

The fine is £60 per child, per parent, but I've no idea how it is being implemented as I haven't heard of anyone taking their children out of school since the new rules came in in September. I'd have thought you needed to inform your children's school of your intention to take them away in advance though- even if it was always going to go down as unauthorised?

bestpud

I think you have little choice but to tell them and be given a fine.

I'm so against this new policy that I'd be tempted to lie if my children were old enough to talk it over with them.

How old are they?

peachyprice

lindsaygalaxy wrote: »

That is the problem with this new policy - it teaches children it is ok to lie. If a child has good attendance and is doign well at school it should be the head teachers choice - they know the children not the goverment.

BTW - sickness comes with 48hours after the last time they are sick.

The policy does not teach children it's OK to lie, the parents do that all by themselves.

peachyprice

bestpud wrote: »

I think you have little choice but to tell them and be given a fine.

They won't be fined, it's not over 10 missed sessions.

springdreams

couponqueen123 wrote: »

the school my kids go to as long as you ask first and it isnt an important time of year you can go , a few people have taken holidays

mainly because one parent cant take time off during the summer holidays like my o/h wasn't able to last year

all schools are different thats a fact

The rules changed in September 2013, at the beginning of the new school year, so after last years summer holiday.

The new rules have been put in place by goverment, and the schools no longer have a discretion.

Tiddlywinks

emmy05 wrote: »

there may be plenty of school holidays, but its hard to get the time off when you both work, summer holidays are full of everyone else wanting time off from work as well. and why should we be dictated to about when to take the kids on holiday when the holiday companies charge up to double the amount because of these insane rules for not missing school. swings and roundabouts, but its not as if youre getting anything more or different when you pay the high prices in school holidays either.

Sorry but that is a pathetic thing to say - 'Dictated to'? Are you kidding?

It's your children's education and it is a government directive... just grow up.

Taking kids out of school without good reason (and getting a cheap holiday is NOT a good reason) just gives your kids the message that education is not as important as pleasing yourself.

What sort of life lesson is that?

ALI1973

"Amendments to the 2006 regulations remove references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted"

Taken from the the Gov website. The fines if levied are £60 per parent per child per absence, and must be paid within 21 days or they double up to 28 days, thereafter you become liable for prosecution through the courts.

I am not saying whether it is right or wrong to take your child out of school, that is your informed choice as a parent, and you take the consequences of that whether it is a fine or possible detriment to your child's education. Telling lies really shouldn't be an option, as I would doubt any parent would want to advocate to their children that lying is acceptable?

I know that holidays can be expensive, but they are a privilege, and if you have to save a bit longer is that really a problem? I think of it that my children deserve to get an education, and part of my contract for them to attend the school of my choice is that they attend 190 days per year, so I endeavour for that to happen (illness permitting). If you want to take holidays at your leisure, then you can always opt to home school?, but you as the parent always have the choice.

In a private school the child would forfeit their place if you tool them out for any reason other than illness, at least in mainstream you only risk a fine at the moment.

emsywoo123

ALI1973 wrote: »

In a private school the child would forfeit their place if you tool them out for any reason other than illness, .

This is not true.