The school decides whether to authorise the absence or not; if it's logged as an unauthorised absence - basically the same as truancy - it's then up to the policy of the local authority what happens next. Schools have no powers to levy fines for non-attendance.

Just to be clear, the school has no power to stop parents removing their children. All it can do is decide whether to condone the removal or not. All studies carried out into the removal of children from lessons for holidays find that there is an impact not only on the children removed but also their classmates, and the disruption goes beyond the time they are actually absent.

As far as impact on SAT results are concerned, this is what happens when you rank schools by results and nothing else. The school has to protect itself against dropping down the rankings as this impacts pupil numbers and funding. This is a direct result of the policy of successive governments, so blaming the school is pointless and well wide of the mark.

Surely it wouldn't be in anyone's interest for any local authority to try and fine someone whose kids otherwise have an excellent attendance record have missed 4 days of school ? Clearly all the parents have to say is that the kids were ill and thats the end of it?

There are any number of studies that show a measurable impact even for relatively short absences. The disruption spreads into the weeks before and after the actual trip, and has a knock-on effect with the other children in the same class.


I can't speak for all schools, but when I was a governor of a primary school we displayed as much flexibility as possible depending on the exact circumstances of each case and authorised a number of absences every year. We wouldn't have authorised your absence as there are no exceptional circumstances.

Only if you keep them out of the sun.

Comments like that always make me laugh. School teachers / headmasters etc all seem to think they are some kind of omnipotent beings who have the power to run all aspects of your childrens lives.

Ummm... no. You aren't.




My advice to the OP would be take your kids on the 4 day holiday. Ring the school up before you go and say your kids won't be in for a few days as they are ill. If the school get arsey about it on their return politely tell them they were ill, they are better now and back all ready for school again. Job done.

Can you give me some examples of what constitutes 'exceptional circumstances'?

I absolutely loathe lying but I'm getting the feeling that I might have to act on your advice.

Another fine example of how "Christian values" can be bent when it suits the believer...

Absolutely. This whole procedure was introduced to try to punish irresponsible parents who dont care whether or not their kids ever attend school ...I don't have an issue with that at all.

However as I'm sure you don't fall into that category then take them on holiday and enjoy the money you have saved.

The schools only really care because it affects their performance figures. Stuff 'em!!