Our kids refused time off school during term time - please advice

maman

geek84 wrote: »

Hi Folks

Many thanks for your replies.

I have twins aged 13 years old. They are in year 9 at the moment.

The reason for refusal the school gives is - This is not currently an exceptional circumstance

Are you suggesting it is not worth appealing against the decision?

Schools only authorise absence in exceptional circumstances and a holiday isn't considered one.


I'd say you have no grounds for appeal but I would write and say you were misled by the receptionist. I think some training is needed there.

maman

Nicki wrote: »

And given how many parents don't get their first choice school place for their kids, perhaps those who take term time holidays should be taken off the school roll and their places given to children whose parents value their school based education over a cheaper holiday. Whilst travel can be educational it's never more educational in the 39 weeks of school term than it would be in the 13 weeks of holiday!

Totally agree. What always amazes me about the teacher bashers that always come out of the woodwork when this subject comes up is that those who want term time holidays often moan about school holidays being too long or inconvenient.

Nicki

shoe*diva79 wrote: »

its £60 per child, per parent. Not £120.

I've never had one, but gov.uk says it is discounted to £60 if paid within 21 days but otherwise £120 per parent per child.

j.e.j.

Nicki wrote: »

He could but it would be a waste of his time to do so.

Most local authorities have the same definition of exceptional circumstances which is here

http://www2.eastriding.gov.uk/learning/schools-colleges-and-academies/school-attendance/holidays-during-term-time-and-authorised-absence-from-school/

A family holiday is never exceptional circumstances in and of itself unless one of the criteria here apply or something truly unique and equivalent.

Well, thanks for the info, but that does seem draconian!

shoe*diva79

Nicki wrote: »

I've never had one, but gov.uk says it is discounted to £60 if paid within 21 days but otherwise £120 per parent per child.

So as long as the OP pays within 21 days then its nowhere near the scary additional cost of £480 that you have quoted them, therefore making financial sense to use a week of the school term.

As an example, I am paying £600 less for my family holiday this year compared to last year. Last year was 10 nights in Egypt, all inclusive in July/Aug for £2.5k (1 adult and 2 kids) and this year we are doing 14 nights in Caribbean for £1900 all inclusive during term (my daughter finishes school this friday after GCSE's and other daughter does not start school until Sept). The cost of the fine is minimal to what savings can be had. And you cant put a price on affordable quality family time together.

sidefx

geek84 wrote: »

Hi Folks

Many thanks for your replies.

I have twins aged 13 years old. They are in year 9 at the moment.

The reason for refusal the school gives is - This is not currently an exceptional circumstance

Are you suggesting it is not worth appealing against the decision?

The holiday is booked now so why waste it? Just go and probably face a 'fine' at most.

It's 5 days out a whole school year, many will miss that and more through illness, truancy or very sadly, neglect.

I can understand the reasons behind discouraging parents taking their children out of school and would certainly never under value the teaching profession.

Whilst it is not ideal, I don't think it really is worthy of a custodial sentence when there are far worse 'crimes' which result in just a slap on the wrist!

Spendless

Nicki wrote: »

I've never had one, but gov.uk says it is discounted to £60 if paid within 21 days but otherwise £120 per parent per child.

Same meaning but worded in a different way from my council copied and pasted below

What happens if the head teacher does not agree my request?

Your child’s absence will be marked as unauthorised absence.

If you take your child on holiday your child’s school may request the Local Authority issue a Fixed Penalty Notice. The Penalty is £60 per parent per pupil and if not paid within 21 days this will increase to £120. Failure to pay the full amount within 28 days will result in a summons to appear in the Magistrates Court on the grounds that you have failed to ensure your child’s regular attendance at school.

OP- Since September 2013, schools haven't been able to authroise term-time absence except in exceptional circumstances. What classes as exceptional circs varies area to area eg in mine they list

Where it is company/organisational policy for an employee to take leave at a specific time in the year and there is no opportunity for a family holiday in school holidays. This must be evidenced by production of the policy document of the organisation.

Service personnel returning from/scheduled to embark upon a tour of duty abroad.

There's a sticky at the top of this board that links into different councils policies on term-time absence.

Helen224488

Headteachers do have a discretionary power to authorise leave for a family holiday during term time where parents seek permission. My son is 22 and when he was 14 he wen't to see his dad in Australia for 4 weeks. 2 weeks were covered by Easter hols and he had 10 days off of school. I made an appointment with the Head and explained situation and it was authorised but he had to catch up on the work.

It never did him any harm to his education as he left with all GCSE's A*and A's. Sometimes the experience outweighs the education. Saying that apart from those 10 days I have never taken my 2 children out of school for any other holiday. I work in a school so I get school holidays off so can't take any holiday off term time so I always have to go during school holidays which is expensive. Last Christmas it was cheaper to go to Las Vegas than Centre Parcs!

Nicki

Helen224488 wrote: »

Headteachers do have a discretionary power to authorise leave for a family holiday during term time where parents seek permission. My son is 22 and when he was 14 he wen't to see his dad in Australia for 4 weeks. 2 weeks were covered by Easter hols and he had 10 days off of school. I made an appointment with the Head and explained situation and it was authorised but he had to catch up on the work.

It never did him any harm to his education as he left with all GCSE's A*and A's. Sometimes the experience outweighs the education. Saying that apart from those 10 days I have never taken my 2 children out of school for any other holiday. I work in a school so I get school holidays off so can't take any holiday off term time so I always have to go during school holidays which is expensive. Last Christmas it was cheaper to go to Las Vegas than Centre Parcs!

The law changed 2 years ago so the fact you were able to do this 8 years ago doesn't help the OP much!

maman

shoe*diva79 wrote: »

And you cant put a price on affordable quality family time together.

????


I thought you just did!