Taking Children out of School in Term Time

pollyanna24

peachyprice wrote: »

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.

This be true. Why they can't get married in London is beyond me. Actually think they are doing the legal bit over here and then having the big party over there.

There aren't that many flights to where they are getting married, so have to go on certain days, but don't think the school will care much about that.

Spendless

Pollyanna- Have a look on your council's website for info if the kids school doesn't have it. The fine here is £60 per child per parent, but that's for the whole absence not per day. Different local authorities have different criteria as what classes as an 'exceptional circumstance'. You might also find info on how many missed sessions will trigger a fine.

TonyMMM

pollyanna24 wrote: »

This be true. Why they can't get married in London is beyond me. Actually think they are doing the legal bit over here and then having the big party over there.

There aren't that many flights to where they are getting married, so have to go on certain days, but don't think the school will care much about that.

Then go to the "legal bit" ceremony over here - that is the real day they get married. What happens abroad is just a party made to look like a wedding.

Brighton_belle

TonyMMM wrote: »

Then go to the "legal bit" ceremony over here - that is the real day they get married. What happens abroad is just a party made to look like a wedding.

They might not want guests there at all - it may be a turn up in jeans, and do the paperwork type event. Because to them their 'real wedding' is the one in Greece.

duchy

If they are getting married over here and it's just a party over there....do you really need to go to the party bit ?

In all honesty making sure your youngest settles well into reception for me would be far more important than a party.

I don't have an issue with parents taking their kids out during termtime in general - My parents did it every year tacking a week onto half term and I did it with my own son once or twice but the one time I wouldn't do it is the beginning of the school year as I don't think it's fair on the child. For me the fact your littler one will be making the adjustment to reception would mean an absolute no (odds are your older one will be adjusting to a new teacher too) -and I'd be a bit disappointed my brother had even considered a wedding abroad at this time knowing it was such an important time for his niece.

I'd personally expect to pay a fine -that side of it to me would just be a part of the holiday cost........but honestly in your exact situation I'd just decline the invitation and explain it just wasn't possible as LO's settling into school successfully had to be my priority.

If your 4 year old is below the legal school age -is it worth considering her starting after Christmas or at Easter instead -if the school have a split year intake and going is really important to you ?

As for claiming food poisoning - 1 Schools are not stupid -and it might damage your relationship if they think you think they are 2 Sun tan 3 It's not fair to ask kids that age to lie (and doesn't teach them a particually good life lesson either) 4 If you are telling the kids they need to follow the school rules (which I'm sure you do) then what are you going to say to them when they ask why going on holiday was OK when it's against the school rules ? (Kids tend to spot these weak spots in arguments !! )

Although charter flights are weekly- you could fly scheduled air via Athens and make it a long weekend- more expensive but offsets against less hotel , food and spending money as you'll be away for a shorter time.

Person_one

I really feel for you here, what a tough position your brother has put you in, probably in order to save themselves some money as September will be a lot cheaper than August when you would have been able to go without this problem!

I think I'd be tempted not to go at all if I were you. Take your brother and his new wife out somewhere with the girls to celebrate the wedding, but explain that the first few weeks in reception are too important to miss 6 days, and that you'd be risking a fine anyway. If they're reasonable people they should understand that.

lazer

It's your brothers wedding, off course you and your children should be there if it all possible. There is no way I would miss my brothers wedding and would be devastated if he missed mine (although he is a teacher, so I booked mine on a Saturday to make sure is was no problem for him!)


What dates is September is it, is it the start of the school year or towards the end of September.


As for the 6 days this is a long time to take for a wedding, have you investigated alternative flights form different locations and coaches/trains or buses. I am assuming it is somewhere with one flight a week - ie: leave on a Wednesday, come home on a Wednesday?


I would ask permission, and then go anyway!

thriftylass

I think it's slightly inconsiderate of your brother. We paid extra to get married on a Saturday so people didn't have to take days off or kids out of school. Go to the actual ceremony in London but not Greece. I wouldn't want to miss my brother's wedding if I had one BUT they should have thought about that before they booked the wedding. People can't expect you to attend their wedding if it means taking kids out of school and paying a fortune to attend.

mgdavid

why did your brother not consider your position beforehand and arrange the wedding/party in the school holidays? My #2 son is in Australia and is doing exactly this, getting married in August (their winter) so his brother and 2 sons (our grandchildren) can go out there without impacting on their education, attracting any fines or upsetting the relationship with their school.
I can see that you're in a difficult position but it must be worth looking at alternative travel plans so you can all go but minimise the number of school days that would be missed.

pollyanna24

double_mummy wrote: »

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?

Not many flights. Think there are three a week and the one two days after the one we are planning on getting is a lot more money.

Plus a week's accommodation has been paid for.