Absence in Reception Post Reply

[prinsloo]

Hello,
We have about 15 days of vacation planned in the first 4 months of the school year that were planned before we moved to London from the US. Do you know the policies on absence and how it affects the students school record? I've heard it can affect getting into secondary schools, waiting lists and you can be fined.
Thanks!
Kate

[Medway]

State school or private? 15 days amounts to 3 whole weeks which is ALOT. I am not sure what the 'rules' are - but your child could get quite behind missing this much school. My Son missed 4 weeks of Reception due to sickness but he was in a small class (less than 15) and the teacher worked hard with him to help him catch up. He really struggled for a bit to 're-integrate' with his classmates as well. I would really think hard about it tbh.

[prinsloo]

Thank you. It is a state school reception. These were all planned prior to our move. We would adhere to the school vacation schedule in the 2014 year. Maybe I should call the school.

[nuttymummy]

Totally depends which school as some of the state schools round here are slightly more flexible than others (I know of one state primary the other side of the common who actually issue fines!!). I would speak with the school, chances are they will be understanding. I personally think 2 weeks out would be ok (i've known a couple of people do it in reception, but it is frowned year 1 upwards where we are) but would really worry about the amount my child missed if it were 3 weeks.

[prinsloo]

Thank you! I emailed the school and I'll let you gals know what they say.

[tooting_mummy]

We saw my daughter's new school last week (she starts reception in Sept) and we had a talk from a very scary truancy lady from the council (although we are Merton). She told us that we must have at least 95% attendance or we get reported (this relates to sickness) and that, under no circumstances can we take holiday in term time. Apparently there is new legislation coming into for e in September whereby you would get issued with a £120 fine and PROSECUTED!!!
This worried me as my partner is kiwi so we do have to go to NZ about once a year and the summer here is winter there so we try and go Dec-March for three weeks. We clearly wouldn't take the p*ss, maybe taking off the last week of term before Xmas but we can't go for less than 3 weeks. Very scary.

[Mum36]

Hi Prinsloo,
You would definitely need to make an appointment to discuss your plans with the head teacher, as unless there is a very strong family reason or a medical reason, a state school would never normally authorise an absence for that long. It's very much 'not the done thing' in state schools to take additional holiday leave in term-time. At the end of the year you receive a report which includes your child's attendance rate (in percentage form). Hope that helps! Just wanted to give you an honest reply!
Thanks!