Do you get fined if your child isnt yet statutory school age

chelseablue

This isn't happening until 2018 but just wondering if anyone knows the answer.

Our son will be 4 in May 2018, so will be starting Reception in September 2018.

In December 18 we are planning on going to Australia for 3 weeks. 2 of the weeks will be Christmas holidays so he will miss 4 or 5 days of school.

The way I understand it is that legally a child doesn't have to go to school until the term after they are 5 years old?

Does that mean that we would not be fined as our son will be 4 and in Reception?

This is a total one off, any other holidays will be in the school holidays. I will also be asking if we can take any work with us (although not sure if 4 year olds actually get school work to do!)

building_with_lego

It depends on the school's policy. At some schools it'll be fine, as he's not of statutory age, while in others he will be treated as any other aged child, on the grounds that you have chosen for him to begin school and as such accept the idea of him being in school 190 days each year.


(I have known a school try to deal with a child's attendance of way below 50%, and were basically powerless because they were still 4 and not yet required to be in school, and their policy was unable to enforce anything in that case. This is extreme, though!)

Guest101

You cannot be fined for it, as a fine can only handed down by the magistrates (or other court), you may receive a penalty charge notice, but it cannot be enforced.

elisamoose

In my LA you cannot issue a penalty notice below stat school age. I presume would be the same everywhere.

chelseablue

Thank you.
Just found this on our LA website:

"A Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued to each parent of each child of statutory school age and carries a maximum penalty of £120"

To me that reads that as he'll be 4 we wont get fined?

Guest101

elisamoose wrote: »

In my LA you cannot issue a penalty notice below stat school age. I presume would be the same everywhere.

It's the same everywhere, except the process isn't always fool proof. It can be triggered by an absence without someone actually checking the age of the child.

pinkshoes

No, they cannot fine you.

Only once the child turns five and HAS to be in school.

Guest101

pinkshoes wrote: »

No, they cannot fine you.

Only once the child turns five and HAS to be in school*.

* as long as you choose to get state education