Unauthorised absense from school - one day

balletshoes

peachyprice wrote: »

If they tried to fine me £360 for taking 1 day unauthorised absence for a relatives 100th birthday celebration I would want my day in court.

me too - and i think the press would have a field day!

Lunar_Eclipse

Spendless wrote: »

Not wanting a £360 fine, 3 kids and £60, per parent, per child.

I can't see that happening. Unauthorised absences and fines are mentioned a LOT on here, yet I have never heard of anyone being fined in reality, despite knowing families going on term time holidays frequently. It's a scarce tactic, not aimed at families wanting one day off for a family event.

That said, I believe in truth and honesty, so wouldn't lie even if I was at risk of a fine. I don't think I'd pay it though if it came to it, because I doubt a £360 fine to attend a close relative's 100th birthday party would stand up legally, under the (100% attendance) circumstances. The school would look incredibly silly.

I would speak to the Head verbally and complete paperwork/send a letter based on the outcome of the conversation. I have actually done this twice this school year for my Y7 child. The request was for early departures (2 hours) as opposed to full days, but in my experience, reasonable requests are granted by reasonable Heads, if there are no concerns about the child. School is a key part of life, but a voluntary part, and not the basis of life.

peachyprice

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Unauthorised absences and fines are mentioned a LOT on here, yet I have never heard of anyone being fined in reality, despite knowing families going on term time holidays frequently.

The board guide here, alwaysonthego, has been fined recently. I also know a couple of parents at my daughters old primary school who got fined, that was even before the new rules last September, so it certainly does happen in reality.

Spendless

Front page of my local paper this week, reports that in my town 556 parents have been fined in the last 6 months since new rules come in about term-time absences. The paper obtained the figure, I've just gone and re-read the paper, so it's definitely not just a scare tactic, it really is happening.

squashy

It is definitely happening here in Manchester too. Unfortunately I know of 2 who have refused to pay but then ended up in court and ordered to pay triple + bagged themselves a criminal record

pollypenny

Storm in a teacup again, before the kettle has even boiled!

Just ask the head, OP! It's such a special occasion that I cannot imagine permission not being given.

clairec79

All of the kids have had a authorised absence given

The comp did want it in writing on their forms (which I got back today, signed as authorised - together with a copy of their attendance records)
The junior school just said 'well that's a good reason, I'll mark it as holiday, have a nice time'

theoretica

An excellent result! I hope it is a great occasion.

pollypenny

clairec79 wrote: »

All of the kids have had a authorised absence given

The comp did want it in writing on their forms (which I got back today, signed as authorised - together with a copy of their attendance records)
The junior school just said 'well that's a good reason, I'll mark it as holiday, have a nice time'

Of course they have been authorised.

Enjoy the day.

meritaten

I have been sitting on my hands trying not to say this - but! These are your children, and while education is important, parents rights are being eroded by these 'rules' which are now in law and parents can actually be jailed for not sending children to school. even though they have good attendance records and the reasons parents want to take them out for a week or so are to benefit the child. I think the education authorities see a nice little earner from this.
If a child is ill I don't see anyone in authority stressing too much about time missed. they don't send anyone to 'tutor' the child do they? and as for 'teaching in hospital' - that's a joke right? they pass out colouring pages if you are lucky. and my son spent almost 40% of his school year in hospital and I THINK he saw one teacher twice - who gave him a colouring page.
I don't think this is about education - its more about removing parental rights and raising money.