schools and holidays

alwaysonthego_2

My daughter starts school in september in reception class. I know the law is that they have to start school the term after they are 5, my daughter turns 5 in May, so she legally does not have to start school until September, 2009.

I have booked a holiday for June, 09 to Disney World and have contacted her school for guidance. They say they will allow up to 10 days in a academic year otherwise anything over I would get fined. Our holiday would take us 2 days over this entitlement. Would it be legal for the school to fine us and report it to the LA even though she does not have to be at school by law? thanks

Paparika

Have you explained to them that you think she legal not expected in school till september?

alwaysonthego_2

no I spoke to the receptionist, more of an informal chat, but will book an appointment to see the headteacher.

Curv

I doubt you'd be fined and, since your daughter doesn't technically have to be there at all, would be very surprised if they took any formal action at all.

Under the circumstances I guess the worst they are likely to do is report your daughter absent as 'parentally condoned truancy' for the 2 extra days. But hopefully they'll exercise common sense and allow the 2 days anyway.

misty

I doubt very much they would do anything about it. However, she is either in school and on the register or not - you can't have it both ways. You have chosen to send her to school this Sept rather than next September. You are doing this and saying well technically she doesn't need to be in yet. If she's in then you should expect to be treated like anyone else at the school - which will probably mean they will overlook it as long as you don't try it again within the same school year.

alwaysonthego_2

misty wrote: »

You have chosen to send her to school this Sept rather than next September. You are doing this and saying well technically she doesn't need to be in yet. If she's in then you should expect to be treated like anyone else at the school - which will probably mean they will overlook it as long as you don't try it again within the same school year.

I did not want to send her to school this sept, I wanted to wait until sept 2009 but the school insisted she started then and made me feel guilty. I feel they start school too young in the UK.

emmaBZ

alwaysonthego wrote: »

I did not want to send her to school this sept, I wanted to wait until sept 2009 but the school insisted she started then and made me feel guilty. I feel they start school too young in the UK.

personally i wouldnt let the school bully you in to sending her this year if you think shes going to cope ok then fine but if you think she should wait till sept 2009 then keep her off till then, its your desision as her parent, nothing to do with the school till she has to start ......if you feel she would be better off starting in 2009 then fine ....all depends on how well you think she will adjust ....

System

around here they start school the term before their 5th birthday, but as said earlier you cant have it both ways

Js_Other_Half

You do not have to send her to school at all - there's no legal directive to say her education has to be in a school.

If this is something you feel strongly about have a look at this link:
http://www.education-otherwise.org/

It may be that if you choose not to send her to that school this academic year, that they refuse to have her next year....?

alwaysonthego_2

CHRISSYG wrote: »

around here they start school the term before their 5th birthday, but as said earlier you cant have it both ways

but legally they don't have to start until the term after their fifth birthday. This was sourced on the department for children, schools and families website.

alwaysonthego_2

Js_Other_Half wrote: »

It may be that if you choose not to send her to that school this academic year, that they refuse to have her next year....?

That's what the school was implying.