School term time holiday/absence request

anonymous12124

We have two family weddings (my brother & uncle who live abroad) on Dec 8 and Dec 21. We need to request 2 weeks off from our daughter’s school (she’s in reception class) so that we can travel. I wanted to know if this is the kind of thing they’re ok with? I have seen that they have an absence request form and will complete it but no idea what schools are like with absences these days.

TELLIT01

The decision is made by the head teacher.  I wouldn't expect a request for a child in reception classe to be a great problem, but you will only find out by asking.

NoodleDoodleMan

Local Authorities have guidelines for schools to adhere to.

Nobody has a crystal ball - but travel outwith the UK is still likely to be an issue in December unless there is a dramatic improvement in the ongoing health pandemic.

Also your family may have to quarantine back home throughtout the festive period.

bradders1983

You are happy to drag your family to another country to attend a wedding (no doubt with a fair few people there) during a global pandemic, necessitating weeks off school just months after kids have missed 3 months of education?

Wow.

silvercar

bradders1983 said:

You are happy to drag your family to another country to attend a wedding (no doubt with a fair few people there) during a global pandemic, necessitating weeks off school just months after kids have missed 3 months of education?

Wow.

I would agree with you on the missing school part at least, except that this is a reception class, so the child is 4 or 5 in the week or two before the end of term. I doubt she will miss anything major.
As for the global pandemic, we don't know where the family are going, the coronavirus rates at the destination may be lower than say Wales!
OP, you are only obliged to give your child an education from the term after their 5th birthday. Depending when in the school year her birthday falls, you may not need to ask permission, though it would be polite to inform the school. Link here.

Tigsteroonie

If the child is in Reception then they may not even be of mandatory school age (term after 5th birthday, if I remember correctly). 

anonymous12124

bradders1983 said:

You are happy to drag your family to another country to attend a wedding (no doubt with a fair few people there) during a global pandemic, necessitating weeks off school just months after kids have missed 3 months of education?

Wow.

If you have nothing constructive to say, which your judgemental and out of place post is, then why post?

I highly doubt that a 4 yr old, which is what she is and will be when she returns, will miss out of much especially when you consider all they're doing right now and they usually just watch movies the final week before the Christmas holidays anyway.

anonymous12124

Tigsteroonie said:

If the child is in Reception then they may not even be of mandatory school age (term after 5th birthday, if I remember correctly). 

Yes, we have an appointment with the school later this week. We'll see what their position is.

silvercar

anonymous12124 said:

Tigsteroonie said:

If the child is in Reception then they may not even be of mandatory school age (term after 5th birthday, if I remember correctly). 

Yes, we have an appointment with the school later this week. We'll see what their position is.

Good luck!
Best to go with the facts at your disposal, just in case the school has a view that doesn't comply with legislation.
https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence
Highlight the second paragraph under "overview":
"Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16."

martindow

silvercar said:

anonymous12124 said:

Tigsteroonie said:

If the child is in Reception then they may not even be of mandatory school age (term after 5th birthday, if I remember correctly). 

Yes, we have an appointment with the school later this week. We'll see what their position is.

Good luck!
Best to go with the facts at your disposal, just in case the school has a view that doesn't comply with legislation.
https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence
Highlight the second paragraph under "overview":
"Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16."

Although this is true assuming the child is still four when the holiday happens, I don't think I would go in all guns blazing to the meeting.  There is no point in unnecessarily upsetting your relationship with the school who you will be dealing with for several years to come. 

Depending on what happens the time to bring this up is if or when you receive a fine for their absence.

But I agree with others that this is likely to be academic (sorry) unless a miracle happens regarding covid, foreign travel and wedding arrangements.

NoodleDoodleMan

"Depending on what happens the time to bring this up is if or when you receive a fine for their absence."

The girl is not of age to require to attend school under statute, nor will she be on return - so, unless I'm not up to speed on these rules, how could a fine be imposed ?