Child Day Off From School. Am I Wrong?
Discussion
bertie said:
jesta1865 said:
double checked with my wife who is a deputy head, despite what it says there, the schools are not making the decision, it's handed down from the dfe via the lea's. barely anything is allowed.
she also said that at either 6 or 16 she would learn far more on that day going to witness it first hand. if it was her school they would try and turn a blind eye. problem is they get checked constantly for attendance etc and woe betide if they don't have the right paperwork.
Absolutely spot on.she also said that at either 6 or 16 she would learn far more on that day going to witness it first hand. if it was her school they would try and turn a blind eye. problem is they get checked constantly for attendance etc and woe betide if they don't have the right paperwork.
As a governor of a primary I've just had this to deal with recently and the school has no leeway but gets all the s
t from parents.All absences are reported back to LA and unless it's illness or exceptional circumstance such as close family bereavement, the school are obliged to refuse.
We're terribly oversubscribed and same thing happens on admissions, anything over the planned access number has to be rejected, then often people go to appeal and the LA let them in.
It's not the school's fault but in our experience they will do what they can to help.
About ten years ago, so things may have changed?
Sent the form requesting leave in term time, and received a "cannot authorise without further information" reply. Luckily, it was PTA day soon after, and I managed to collar the headmistress.
Without being sarcy, I impressed upon her that it was the only week of holiday I could have, and we wanted to go skiing. I also managed to ask her what the difference was between us taking her that week, or her going on the school skiing trip two weeks later, and if that required authorisation.
It was granted, but maybe times have changed?
OP, take her. The worst they can do is fine you if they really want to be pedantic about it. Throw the sicky, and let them pick the bones out of it. I suspect it will be filed under sick leave, and forgotten.
Sent the form requesting leave in term time, and received a "cannot authorise without further information" reply. Luckily, it was PTA day soon after, and I managed to collar the headmistress.
Without being sarcy, I impressed upon her that it was the only week of holiday I could have, and we wanted to go skiing. I also managed to ask her what the difference was between us taking her that week, or her going on the school skiing trip two weeks later, and if that required authorisation.
It was granted, but maybe times have changed?
OP, take her. The worst they can do is fine you if they really want to be pedantic about it. Throw the sicky, and let them pick the bones out of it. I suspect it will be filed under sick leave, and forgotten.
philthy said:
I also managed to ask her what the difference was between us taking her that week, or her going on the school skiing trip two weeks later, and if that required authorisation.
The only difference is that it's easier to plan around a whole bunch of kids being off in one go - and it will have been known about for some time.The nightmare for teachers is kids being randomly off and parents who expect work to be set in advance and help in getting them caught up. Obviously it happens when kids are sick but that's unavoidable, but it doesn't need avoidable absence piled on top.
Spangles said:
bertie said:
jesta1865 said:
double checked with my wife who is a deputy head, despite what it says there, the schools are not making the decision, it's handed down from the dfe via the lea's. barely anything is allowed.
she also said that at either 6 or 16 she would learn far more on that day going to witness it first hand. if it was her school they would try and turn a blind eye. problem is they get checked constantly for attendance etc and woe betide if they don't have the right paperwork.
Absolutely spot on.she also said that at either 6 or 16 she would learn far more on that day going to witness it first hand. if it was her school they would try and turn a blind eye. problem is they get checked constantly for attendance etc and woe betide if they don't have the right paperwork.
As a governor of a primary I've just had this to deal with recently and the school has no leeway but gets all the s
t from parents.All absences are reported back to LA and unless it's illness or exceptional circumstance such as close family bereavement, the school are obliged to refuse.
We're terribly oversubscribed and same thing happens on admissions, anything over the planned access number has to be rejected, then often people go to appeal and the LA let them in.
It's not the school's fault but in our experience they will do what they can to help.
Bushi said:
Ok, cheers for the responses.
Clearly I made the mistake of going by the book.
Not something I normally do but trying to teach her proper moral values, may have to show her how rules can become a little grey.
Looking at the guidelines linked earlier schools do seem have leeway to grant leave for educational trips but I can see how it is difficult for them.
Now have to decide whether to simply up and go or not.
Got this far and have to get on with work so can't go further.Clearly I made the mistake of going by the book.
Not something I normally do but trying to teach her proper moral values, may have to show her how rules can become a little grey.
Looking at the guidelines linked earlier schools do seem have leeway to grant leave for educational trips but I can see how it is difficult for them.
Now have to decide whether to simply up and go or not.
Kudos for trying to do the right thing.
Now it is time to teach your child on of the unwritten commandments. She will like have already become aware of the 11th one ("Thou shalt not get caught") and now it is time for her to learn the 12th "Thou shalt find that there are rules which must be followed and those which are for the guidance of the wise and the obedience of the stupid."
Me? My view is that this appears to be a worthwhile and educational experience for your child and will not be interrupting anything which they will not be able to catch back up on immediately.
Rude-boy said:
Kudos for trying to do the right thing.
Agreed.Rude-boy said:
My view is that this appears to be a worthwhile and educational experience for your child and will not be interrupting anything which they will not be able to catch back up on immediately.
And that's the view of almost every Headteacher too.Sadly they just don't have the discretion any more.
bertie said:
And that's the view of almost every Headteacher too.
Sadly they just don't have the discretion any more.
I would suspect that it was. I remember getting a day to go to London to see the National Science Museum (although we might have omitted that they were unveiling the new Group C BRM there and I had the hots for the boss's daughter...)Sadly they just don't have the discretion any more.
cymtriks said:
4. Circumstances for Issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice
• Where there is a minimum of 10 unauthorised sessions (5 school days) in the current term (these do not need to be consecutive).
Everyone seems to have missed this owing to the OUTRAGE.• Where there is a minimum of 10 unauthorised sessions (5 school days) in the current term (these do not need to be consecutive).
The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined.
And even if you ARE fined - it's a tank of gas.
The OP has let the school know and hence avoided them worrying when she doesn't turn up.
That all he has to do.
Don't bother hassling the head or making a nuisance of yourself - just go and enjoy the day!!
walm said:
Everyone seems to have missed this owing to the OUTRAGE.
The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined.
And even if you ARE fined - it's a tank of gas.
I don't think anyone is suggesting he'll get a penalty (it's not a fine).The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined.
And even if you ARE fined - it's a tank of gas.
The OUTRAGE is that he wasn't given permission.
Sheepshanks said:
I don't think anyone is suggesting he'll get a penalty (it's not a fine).
The OUTRAGE is that he wasn't given permission.
Fair enough.The OUTRAGE is that he wasn't given permission.
The permission issue has been thoroughly answered I guess.
It just seems that parents get very worried about "unauthorised absences" when there are literally zero ramifications unless you do it a lot.
Impasse said:
Petrol Only said:
Gone of the good old days. Dad took me to a World Cup cricket fixture in 1999.
Reason for absence couldn't get a weekend ticket.
Take her out but if anyone ask she was ill!
Since when was 1999 the good old days? That was only about two or three years ago. Reason for absence couldn't get a weekend ticket.
Take her out but if anyone ask she was ill!
walm said:
The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined
Our Council invoices for "A period of absence from school due to a holiday that was not authorised by school" and also as you say "Where there is a minimum of 10 unauthorised sessions (5 school days) in the current term (these do not need to be consecutive);"But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined
walm said:
Everyone seems to have missed this owing to the OUTRAGE.
The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined.
And even if you ARE fined - it's a tank of gas.
The OP has let the school know and hence avoided them worrying when she doesn't turn up.
That all he has to do.
Don't bother hassling the head or making a nuisance of yourself - just go and enjoy the day!!
That's exactly what is going to happen, spoke to her teaching assistant and clearly agreed with nearly every one here. Take it unapproved or sick its simply not an issue.The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined.
And even if you ARE fined - it's a tank of gas.
The OP has let the school know and hence avoided them worrying when she doesn't turn up.
That all he has to do.
Don't bother hassling the head or making a nuisance of yourself - just go and enjoy the day!!
Obviously made the post in the heat of the moment, but read so much Daily Mail "outrage" nonsense from parents up in court with fines etc... posters and charts all over school with attendance percentages, the school have you thinking its the end of the world. I just needed a bit of perspective.
Cheers.
Bushi said:
walm said:
Everyone seems to have missed this owing to the OUTRAGE.
The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined.
And even if you ARE fined - it's a tank of gas.
The OP has let the school know and hence avoided them worrying when she doesn't turn up.
That all he has to do.
Don't bother hassling the head or making a nuisance of yourself - just go and enjoy the day!!
That's exactly what is going to happen, spoke to her teaching assistant and clearly agreed with nearly every one here. Take it unapproved or sick its simply not an issue.The idea is to stop people taking holiday in term-time.
But because the government are idiots they made it a 10 session minimum.
So you can still go skiing and not get fined.
Taking a day is obviously perfectly OK but you aren't going to get permission.
So as long as you don't want to do it another 5 times THIS TERM - you won't get fined.
And even if you ARE fined - it's a tank of gas.
The OP has let the school know and hence avoided them worrying when she doesn't turn up.
That all he has to do.
Don't bother hassling the head or making a nuisance of yourself - just go and enjoy the day!!
Obviously made the post in the heat of the moment, but read so much Daily Mail "outrage" nonsense from parents up in court with fines etc... posters and charts all over school with attendance percentages, the school have you thinking its the end of the world. I just needed a bit of perspective.
Cheers.
The Crack Fox said:
Ask the Headmaster when his staff are going to be next on strike so you can take her then.
I think you'll find almost without exception the head will agree it's of no detriment and probably a benefit, as I keep on pointing out, that discretion was removed from them.walm said:
Rude-boy said:
Sadly mate it's more like 15 - 16 years ago.
I can tell you didn't miss many days of school. 
There were very few days when i didn't turn up at least for roll call.
Okay, okay Woosh Parrot on Aisle 4 please - just realised the nod to the abilities of the Team. Doh.
Edited by Rude-boy on Friday 4th December 17:02
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