Just been refused school leave for kids

[Vixster]

Got a letter back saying I'm not allowed to take kids out in may for 2 weeks i have booked my holiday and now not sure what to do if we change have got till 30 nov to get free dining and I wanted to spend mine and sons birthday there as we did my daughters 7th.

Don't understand how they let other family's go in school time

 

[darthtatty]

It really depends on the time of year, childrens ages and how strict the local authority are.
I know generally May is a bad time due to tests/exams.
Theres a half term around then isnt there? we usually include this week and then just have 1 week off school.

Each case would be assessed on the childs previous absences-do they have a good record?

Can you appeal?

However at the end of the day they are your children, so you can decide what happens to them. Some believe a trip is more educational than school itself-yes even WDW.
All they can really do is fine you. However its best to try and get permission first.

good luck

 

[emmamc252]

As a school teacher who deals with persistent absenteeism my advice would be to phone and speak to the head teacher, say that "you would never do it again" etc but explain that this is a great opportunity for your kids and that you will ensure that all work missed will be caught up on.
In all honesty unless your children have very poor attendance records the school can't do anything if you do take them out, local authorities etc only step in where children are virtually not coming to school, not because someone's gone on holiday.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. The only exception to this would be if your children are at a private school as they can pretty much do as they please in terms of allowing holidays/dealing with families who go away. In the regilar school system though you will be fine.
Not that I'd be quite so willing to offer this advice to kids at my own school, we have attendance targets to meet you know.....as I am sure your school does

 

[joolz1910]

You have asked for the holiday to be authorised (you don't need to ask permission) and they have refused. It simply means that your children's absence will be recorded as unauthorised. So long as your children's attendance isn't poor, I wouldn't worry too much.

I know that my children's schools both have a blanket policy of refusing to authorise all holidays taken in term-time. I will still take them to WDW next year and take the consequences on the chin. Don't take this refusal personally and, unless other parents have been granted authorisation, I wouldn't bother pleading your case.

 

[dixonsontour]

It may be because it's May aswell. I know the school my friend's son goes to wont authorise any absence in May due to sats/assessments.

 

[Vixster]

As a school teacher who deals with persistent absenteeism my advice would be to phone and speak to the head teacher, say that "you would never do it again" etc but explain that this is a great opportunity for your kids and that you will ensure that all work missed will be caught up on.
In all honesty unless your children have very poor attendance records the school can't do anything if you do take them out, local authorities etc only step in where children are virtually not coming to school, not because someone's gone on holiday.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. The only exception to this would be if your children are at a private school as they can pretty much do as they please in terms of allowing holidays/dealing with families who go away. In the regilar school system though you will be fine.
Not that I'd be quite so willing to offer this advice to kids at my own school, we have attendance targets to meet you know.....as I am sure your school does

Thank you I have a meeting with the head 14 dec only time she could fit me in will see what she says as I'm not going to cancel Cause we really want to go then due to it being for my 30th and sons birthday not going to say that to the school. gets to hot if we went later in the year my kids attendance is really good so will mention that In The meeting we don't do it all the time

 

[irongirlof12]

How old are your kids? It has never been a problem for us , but i am careful now the eldest DD is in high school and studing for GCSE,s. I tag a few days at end of term but for high school, a fortnight out is a real big deal.

 

[hildasmuriel]

As others have said, if your children's attendance is ok, there is not much that will happen. It will be recorded as unauthorised absence and that will be the end of it.
Be aware that if you go just one day over the 2 weeks (11 school days intead of 10) then you could be fined. Your school doesn't have to fine you - it depends how strict the Head is. The fine is £50 per child per parent. So for 2 children it would be £200 in a 2 parent family. Our Head does sometimes authorise fines and the parents just shrug and pay. It is still cheaper to pay £100 fine per child than to fly to India during the school holidays!