Taking Children out of School in Term Time

pollyanna24

My brother is getting married in Greece in September and so I will have to take my two daughters out of school in order to go.

When should I write the letter? Am I asking permission or informing them? Who do I address the letter to? The Head?

Should I include details like “My eldest has had 100% attendance and this is a one-off” etc. etc. or should I just state the facts of my brother getting married and see what reply I get?

I don’t agree with taking children out of school, but he is my brother and would like to go. They will miss 6 days of school and my eldest will be in Year 2 and my youngest will have just started Reception.

peachyprice

If you go to the school office they will have a form you need to fill in, one for each child usually, no need to write a separate letter. But don't expect to be given permission.

pollyanna24

peachyprice wrote: »

If you go to the school office they will have a form you need to fill in, one for each child usually, no need to write a separate letter. But don't expect to be given permission.

Fair enough. I will do this. It's not too early now is it? The wedding isn't for another 8 months.

I'm guessing people don't get permission, but take their children out anyway. Is the fine £60 per child per day, or per child per holiday?

As children do not have to be in school until the term after their 5 birthday (which will be January 2016 in the case of my youngest), would I still receive a fine for her?

Maybe the answer is for my girls to both receive a bad dose of food poisoning or something the day before we are due to fly?

burlington6

In my granddaughters school the only parents who get chased for the money are the ones who actually care about their children

double_mummy

taking them out right as school starts would be a big no no for me especially with one starting school for the first time i really dont think that the school will approve this as it can be really detrimental

why do you need to take them out for so long? missing 6 days of school will mean you will be away for at least 8 days is there anyway to only go for the day before the day of and come home the day after as this seems more like a holiday than attending for a 1 day event

pollyanna24

burlington6 wrote: »

In my granddaughters school the only parents who get chased for the money are the ones who actually care about their children

I'll pretend not to like my daughters then! Hey, if it works, haha.

Brighton_belle

pollyanna24 wrote: »

Maybe the answer is for my girls to both receive a bad dose of food poisoning or something the day before we are due to fly?

The trouble is with that approach, is that your daughters will talk about their trip when they get back and then their teachers will know that you are a liar - and personally that would damage my sense of self far more than the irritating fine.

peachyprice

Yes, people get refused permission but go anyway.

If you daughter is under the age at which she legally has to be educated they can't fine you for her, so just the £60 per day, per parent (assuming her father is on the scene) for your older child, but not until she has missed 10 sessions (5 school days).

If you lie to the school by telling them they've been ill, that really is not a good way to go and is very unfair on your children. The school know the dates you have asked to take them out, they will know you are lying.

If/when you get the refusal just thank the head and tell them you will be going anyway.

If you do get a fine ask your inconsiderate brother to pay it

peachyprice

double_mummy wrote: »

why do you need to take them out for so long? missing 6 days of school will mean you will be away for at least 8 days is there anyway to only go for the day before the day of and come home the day after as this seems more like a holiday than attending for a 1 day event

This is exactly what the school will expect. It doesn't need 6 missed school days to attend a wedding. People who are reasonable in only asking for a day or two either side, and aren't just using it as an excuse for a term time holiday, are far more likely to be authorised.

pollyanna24

peachyprice wrote: »

Yes, people get refused permission but go anyway.

If you daughter is under the age at which she legally has to be educated they can't fine you for her, so just the £60 per day, per parent (assuming her father is on the scene) for your older child, but not until she has missed 10 sessions (5 school days).

If you lie to the school by telling them they've been ill, that really is not a good way to go and is very unfair on your children. The school know the dates you have asked to take them out, they will know you are lying.

If/when you get the refusal just thank the head and tell them you will be going anyway.

If you do get a fine ask your inconsiderate brother to pay it

Thank you.

I am separated from their dad and he has nothing to do with the wedding, so he will refuse to pay any fine (which is fair enough in my opinion). He also has nothing to do with getting them to school every other morning, but that's a different story.

I won't lie as you're right, they will talk about their holiday and come back with a nice tan.

The more I think about it, the more hassle I think it is going to cause me in general. Cost of flights, time of flights, entertaining two children for a week, finding someone to mind my dog etc.

Might ask brother to pay, but his fiancee's family have already paid for the accommodation, so not sure if he will.

£60 per day though, yeesh! That's £360 for one child!

double_mummy

pollyanna24 wrote: »

£60 per day though, yeesh! That's £360 for one child!

most places its £60 per day over 5 days so would only be £60 per child

any reason you cant just go for 3 days?