To say they should grant this?

My children’s school was very strict it wasn’t even possible to take them out of school for one day term time. Rules might have become more relaxed these days I am out of touch. It should be the parents decision.

The school may well refuse permission. From my own personal experience, the decisions are not always based on the best interests of the child, but on the school's absence record - the reputation of the school trumps the needs of the child.
My grandson was a SEN pupil, the school could not guarantee the necessary help due to staffing problems, but refused permission for him to attend for 2 hours per week a private tuition programme for children with special needs. They admitted that it would not 'look good' on their record of attendance. They were "sorry" that he was dropping behind and losing his self-confidence... but they were not prepared to allow the absence. He was ultimately taken out of the school and my son and DIL gave up on our education system and emigrated. Grandson is now in South Africa and doing extraordinarily well having received one-to-one tuition during his Primary years at school.
I hope the school grant permission - it is a special occasion and these don't usually come round often. Be prepared to add the cost of the fine to the trip.

At my granddaughters school so long as their attendance is above 94% they are allowed ten days off per academic year so hopefully the children will be allowed the time off if similar rules apply at their school.

I would suggest the parents of the children discuss it with the school before you discuss it on here.
Nadhim Zahawi said recently, 'we cannot help children if they are not here' referring to unauthorised absences from school, but so many parents prioritise their own preferences over the needs of their children because they 'know they will be fine.'
Who are schools to make these decisions?
They see children in a much broader context, they have much wider experience of many different children, and they see and have to deal with the consequences of missed education.
But that doesn't count against holidays.

I do not normally approve of children being taken out of school for a holiday, but this one does seem to be a rather special reason.

Do not think that schools these days, have the authority to 'permit it', Totally daft - when my children were small and in primary school, on really good weather days, would take them all out of school to give us the opportunity of having a day's outing to the beach. Always phoned the school early in the morning saying exacrly what I was doing - would never have lied about it.

Did none of them any harm, all have excellent degrees and higher qualifications.

Of course, this would not be allowed these days. About time schools were brought back to being given authority to their own Heads.

I would say the the OP that it sound lovely that this trip is planned and will probably be some excelelnt medicine for their Nan. So worth paying the fine and being done with it.

nanna8

Glad we don’t have that here. My daughter went to Japan with the children for 3 months and their teachers said the kids would learn a lot more from that than anything in the classroom. Quite right,too.

I've known Australian children come here for months and they did the set work online or the younger ones brought workbooks
Of course, Australia has more experience of this with years of experience ie with School of the Air leading the way, set up in the 1950s I think.

Glad we don’t have that here. My daughter went to Japan with the children for 3 months and their teachers said the kids would learn a lot more from that than anything in the classroom. Quite right,too.

Many children have missed so much school over the last 20 months. Many children have had low attendance percentages due to isolating, illness (not necessarily Covid) etc on their school reports resulting in a computerised prompt recommending referral to the Education Welfare Service.
One of my DGC had one, as did many in the class, which the school agreed was a nonsense.

too much regimentation in schools now.
in the overall scheme of things it's small potatoes.
it's not a prison.

Well, be prepared that they could, TopsyAndTim.
Each morning and afternoon session count as 2 separate unauthorised absences, and I'm not sure what the "magic" figure is (19?) but if you go over that, then they bring on the big guns.

Thank you.

Tickets already been booked.
She is my DD yes.
I really can't see them asking her to attend parenting classes

In your sad situation you did absolutely the right thing MissA. We will start a petition to free you from the stocks if it comes to that?

They won't miss much in a week.

I would definitely take them to see their Grandma, especially after the last 20 months.

I agree with not taking kids out of school for annual holidays but if it’s a family situation and someone they may not see again of course I d go, if I got fined then I d pay up parenting classes they could stick where the sun don’t shine

I’d think it was worth asking. School could always say no but unless it’s SATS time or they have lots of time of I’d hope the head would at least consider your request.

I may have to wear a dunces hat, I reckon.
I usually do as I'm told, but for the school to decide what is in my grandsons best interests just made me see red.
Particularly since it was the anniversary of my girls death.
Who are they to decide how it is remembered and what is appropriate?

MissAdventure

I've yet to find out what they have in store for me, but I'm comfortable that I made the right decision.

The stocks and rotten tomatoes I reckon.

I do dislike the fact that people are threatened with fines in every aspect of their lives. No, I don't know the answer but sometimes I think fines are just a way of boosting the coffers.

I would take them too. My Grandson was allowed to take time out of School to travel long haul with his Father, parents are separated.
I hope the School let the parents take your Grandchildren, but I fear they may have to pay the fine.

I've yet to find out what they have in store for me, but I'm comfortable that I made the right decision.

I would go too and pay the fine and I know that if I'd been in this position and was told I had to attend parenting classes, what my response would have been.

I would go. Is it her DD or yours?
Family is very important and if she needs to go, she should.
The DGC are at primary school so are not in the middle of exams.
I took DD out of school for a couple of weeks so we could all go to NZ to see her DB. The fares were cheaper and 2 weeks was school holiday anyway. 20 years later, we have no regrets.

No it’s not fine IMO. Children’s education is important.

The school can’t approve it. If it was me, I’d go. My daughter’s friend is often taken out the last week of term, or for example last week when the nasal flu sprays were done. No idea if they’ve ever been fined but I’m sure they’d kick up a stink if they had to attend parenting classes. That would be quite amusing actually!!