Fined for taking kids on holiday..

Locky

Locky

Locky

Soldato
Joined
14 Oct 2003
Posts
13,577
Location
South Derbyshire
So I have been fined for taking my kids on holiday 3 days before last end of term ended (just before the 6 weeks holiday) it was my brothers wedding and didn't really want to miss it.
To be honest all they do is watch DVDs etc the last few days anyway.

The headmaster at the time authorized it and said it wouldn't be a problem so thought that was that.
Come today and I have had a 240 quid fine dropped through my door for me and my wife,
the people on the other end of the phone don't want to know and said there is no right to appeal it. Pay it or face criminal proceedings.

What a complete joke the system is and it's the only 3 days my kids had off all term.
 
I can't believe it's criminal! :eek: Sure I could accept civil litigation but criminal??

Is there not some sort of due diligence they perform before handing out fines? There must be a way to appeal surely?
 
Rules are rules. Irrespective of what the headmaster said, you knew taking them out of school in term time could lead to a fine. Suck it up and move on.
 
Surely if it's been authorised my the Head then its not an unauthorised absence. :confused:

Education Act 1996 Section 444
In particular sections 3(a) and 9

(3)The child shall not be taken to have failed to attend regularly at the school by reason of his absence from the school—

(a)with leave,

(9)In this section “leave”, in relation to a school, means leave granted by any person authorised to do so by the governing body or proprietor of the school.

Leave was granted by a person of authority - the Head. What offence have they fined you for and under what legislation is that offence defined?
 
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I can understand school's having a duty of care and all that, but surely in instances like this the parents prerogative should override them?

When did the law change? I remember going on holiday loads during school time when I was at school in the 90s.
 
booyaka said:
agreed - did you get it in writing from the head teacher?

There must be a appeals process - go and speak to the school/head teacher and get them to deal with it.
Click to expand...

We already have and hes calling them tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath.
 
Surely there are exclusions for funerals and weddings? assuming you did take them to a relatives wedding rather than off to Disneyland.
 
That's gone up a lot since they sent me one. I had £200 for 2 children over 5 days.
I sent them a notice (not a letter) to prove the debt actually exists and to prove I have broken a law to a point where I owe them compensation, they never got back to me.
That was 4 years ago.
Might not work for you though.

Locky said:
The headmaster at the time authorized it and said it wouldn't be a problem so thought that was that.
Click to expand...
Did you get it in writing?
 
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