School fine withdrawn!

girlsmum

janninew wrote: »

It does seem to be quite a new 'thing' to take your children out of school for family holidays, I can't remember it happening when I was at school 20 odd years ago.

I personally would not take my daughter from school for a holiday, only for unavoidable reasons. Not only do you have the issue of work missed, friendship groups change so rapidly and also if the school don't authorise it you have this on your record which many collages will ask for.

We never had foreign holidays as children and as somebody posted above you had to have a very good reason for Mum to let you stay off school. Remembering what a cheeky teen I was I can just imagine answering back to my mum that it was alright to miss school when it suited her!

It's not a new thing, it's just that now that parent's get fined so it's a topic for discussion/argument. there used to be 10 days a year that schools could play with the grant holidays, it was up to the school, but 9 out of 10 times it was granted.

Marisco

girlsmum wrote: »

It's not a new thing, it's just that now that parent's get fined so it's a topic for discussion/argument. there used to be 10 days a year that schools could play with the grant holidays, it was up to the school, but 9 out of 10 times it was granted.

You're right, I remember my mam and dad taking me out of school in June, to go on holiday, as that was the only time dad could go. This was nearly 50 years ago, I just took a holiday form to the head to get signed, job done!

Gaz126_2

My original question, how can I prevent this? Still no answers from the Council or Dfe! Will post when/if replies. There must be other separated parents who are getting fined!!

Marisco

Gaz126 wrote: »

My original question, how can I prevent this? Still no answers from the Council or Dfe! Will post when/if replies. There must be other separated parents who are getting fined!!

Bottom line is, you can't! Unless you can have a reasonable dialogue with your ex, or the school agrees to inform you before the absence actually takes place. Or you go for full custody of the child, but even then if the mother takes the kid out of school on her access visits, there is nowt you can do.

You could try and make the school/council see how unreasonable they are being, good luck with that one!! Or lobby your MP to have it in law that an absent parent cannot be held responsible for something the parent with care does, that he doesn't know about. Personally I cannot see how anyone would think it was reasonable, for someone to be fined for something they know nothing about! It defies logic IMO.

Mojisola

Marisco wrote: »

Or lobby your MP to have it in law that an absent parent cannot be held responsible for something the parent with care does, that he doesn't know about.

Personally I cannot see how anyone would think it was reasonable, for someone to be fined for something they know nothing about! It defies logic IMO.

Getting the law changed is the only way so, as Marisco says, it's one for the MPs.

It's ridiculous that none of the MPs considered the position of the other parent.

Jagraf

It should really be taken out of the schools hands and the law changed so that there is a proper legal reporting system where one person becomes liable for their actions.

Doesn't help the OP now though.

Mojisola

Jagraf wrote: »

It should really be taken out of the schools hands and the law changed so that there is a proper legal reporting system where one person becomes liable for their actions.

The problem is that it has been taken out of the headteachers' hands and a central law made.

Headteachers used to be able to give permission if there was a good reason for the proposed holiday.

Gaz126_2

I should add, I have been in contact with Chloe Smith mp who's been very good and responsive and contacted the Norfolk County Council. The Council who has the full story, would not withdraw the fine on the grounds it is the law! I have repeatedly asked how I can prevent this and for future events. I have had no answers that would help at all!

Marisco

Gaz126 wrote: »

I should add, I have been in contact with Chloe Smith mp who's been very good and responsive and contacted the Norfolk County Council. The Council who has the full story, would not withdraw the fine on the grounds it is the law! I have repeatedly asked how I can prevent this and for future events. I have had no answers that would help at all!

Well if it's law then there are no answers are there? MP's make the law, so they are the ones who can do anything. The only alternative is to try and talk to your ex. Whilst I totally agree it's unfair, I'm afraid it's now pointless to keep asking on here what you can do, if the council won't listen, your ex won't talk to you or your MP is not listening, then the only thing you can do, until/if the law is changed, is just suck it up! Or just go to court and appeal.

Gaz126_2

Marisco, agreed I was only trying to keep this going to see if other people have found themselves in my position and if I could help as my fine was withdrawn!