Planning A Wedding: Can My Child Miss School?

Parents often wonder if their child can have time off school to attend a wedding. The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on several factors, including the child's age, the type of wedding, the school's policies, and the family's circumstances. While some schools may grant permission for a child to attend a wedding, others may refuse the request, resulting in unauthorised absence. In some cases, parents may even face fines for taking their child out of school without authorisation. However, the likelihood of being fined for a single day's absence is low, especially if the child's overall attendance is good.

How to request time off school for a wedding

Firstly, it's important to note that schools are not obliged to authorise time off for a wedding. However, if you want to request time off for your child to attend a wedding, here are some steps you can follow:

• Check the school's policy: Different schools have different policies regarding authorised absences. Some schools may only allow time off for specific reasons, such as illness, medical appointments, or family emergencies. Check the school's website or handbook to understand their specific policies and procedures for requesting time off.
• Give advance notice: Notify the school as early as possible about the upcoming wedding. This will allow the school to plan accordingly and may increase the chances of your request being approved.
• Write a formal letter: Address your request to the headteacher or principal, explaining the reason for your child's absence. Provide details such as the date(s) of the wedding, its location, and the relationship of the people getting married to your child. It may also be helpful to mention any special circumstances, such as the wedding being postponed multiple times due to the pandemic or your child having a role in the wedding.
• Offer to make up for missed schoolwork: Show that you are committed to your child's education by requesting schoolwork in advance or asking the teacher if there is anything your child can do to make up for the missed lessons.
• Be prepared for the outcome: Understand that the school may not approve your request. If your request is denied, consider other options, such as attending the wedding without your child or taking your child out of school anyway and accepting the consequences, which may include an unauthorised absence or, in some cases, a fine.

Remember, while it is important to follow the proper procedures and respect the school's policies, don't let this overshadow the joy of the wedding. Do what you think is best for your family, and enjoy the celebration!

What counts as an 'authorised absence'

An authorised absence is when a school agrees with the reason for a child's non-attendance. Schools will generally authorise an absence if:

• The child is too ill to attend, although the school may request proof from a doctor if the illness persists.
• A parent or guardian has requested permission in advance for a holiday or religious observance.
• The child has a medical or dental appointment.
• The child is on study leave.
• The child is being educated off-site.
• The child has been excluded.

If a school has not agreed with the reason for a child's absence, it may be recorded as an unauthorised absence. If a child is regularly absent without authorisation, the school and local authority can take action, which may include a fine for the parents or legal prosecution.

In the context of a wedding, schools may be more likely to authorise an absence if it is the child's parent or guardian getting married, or if the wedding has been postponed multiple times due to unforeseen circumstances. However, it is important to note that schools are not obligated to authorise absences for weddings, and each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What happens if your request is denied

If your request for time off school for your child to attend a wedding is denied, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, it is important to understand that the school's decision is likely based on their attendance policy and a desire to keep attendance records looking good for inspections. However, this does not mean you cannot still take your child to the wedding. Here are some options to consider:

• Accept the unauthorised absence: You can choose to accept the school's decision and take your child out of school anyway. This will result in an unauthorised absence, but it is unlikely to lead to any further repercussions or fines, especially if your child's overall attendance is good.
• Appeal the decision: If you believe the wedding qualifies as an exceptional circumstance, you can appeal the school's decision. Speak to the headteacher directly and explain the situation, providing as much detail as possible.
• Provide advanced notice: Let the school know that your child will be absent for the wedding, even if it is unauthorised. This will allow them to prepare and ensure your child receives any necessary work or assignments to stay on track.
• Consider the timing: If the wedding falls near the end of a term or close to a scheduled break, schools may be more flexible as there are usually fewer academic activities during these periods.
• Weigh the benefits: Consider the value of your child attending the wedding versus the potential consequences of an unauthorised absence. If the wedding is a close family event or an important cultural or religious experience, the benefits may outweigh any minor repercussions.
• Be honest: While it may be tempting to call in sick, it is generally not recommended. Honesty is the best policy, and lying about your child's illness may lead to further complications or trust issues with the school.

Remember, each school has its own policies and procedures, and it is always best to maintain open communication with the school administration. While your request for time off may be denied, you can still make a case for your child's attendance at the wedding by highlighting the exceptional circumstances and providing advanced notice to the school.

What are the consequences of unauthorised absence

While a wedding is not typically considered an exceptional circumstance for a child's absence from school, parents may still choose to take their children out of school and face the consequences of unauthorised absence. The consequences of unauthorised absence from school can vary, but generally include fines, legal action, and, in some cases, prosecution. Here are some possible scenarios:

Fines

In the UK, parents may be issued a fine, known as a 'penalty notice', for unauthorised absence. The amount of the fine depends on the number of offences within a three-year period. For the first offence, the fine is £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days, increasing to £160 if paid between days 22 and 28. For a second offence within three years, the fine increases to £160 per parent per child, payable within 28 days. If there is a third offence or further offences within three years, a penalty notice will not be issued, and the case will be referred to the Magistrate's Court for consideration.

Legal Action and Prosecution

If a child has unauthorised absences, local councils and schools can take legal action to enforce school attendance. They can issue an Education Supervision Order, which involves appointing a supervisor to help the parent get their child into education. Alternatively, they may issue a School Attendance Order if the council believes the child is not receiving an education. If the parent does not provide evidence of the child's registration at a school or intent to provide home education within 15 days, they may be prosecuted or fined. Prosecution could result in a fine of up to £2,500, a community order, or a jail sentence of up to three months.

Impact on School Records

Unauthorised absences will be recorded on the child's school records. While a single unauthorised absence may not have a significant impact, multiple unauthorised absences could lead to a drop in the child's overall attendance rate, which may be taken into consideration for future absence requests or interventions by the school or local authorities.

It is important to note that the consequences of unauthorised absence can vary depending on the child's overall attendance record, the school's policies, and the local council's rules. Some schools and councils may be more lenient for one-time unauthorised absences, especially if the child's attendance is otherwise good.

How to avoid fines for unauthorised absence

While the headteacher or principal of a school is the only person who can authorise school absence, they are not obliged to do so for a wedding, even that of a close relative. In the UK, schools are told they can authorise absences for sickness, medical or dental appointments, days of religious observance and exceptional family circumstances like a bereavement.

If your child's absence is not authorised and you allow it anyway, you may be liable for a penalty notice. However, this is unlikely for a one-off day absence. In England, there is now a national threshold of 10 sessions (usually equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence, within a rolling 10-school-week period, before a penalty notice must be considered.

If you receive a penalty notice, the first time it will be £80 per parent, per child, if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid between days 22 and 28. If you receive a second penalty notice within 3 years, the fine will be £160 per parent, per child, payable within 28 days. If it is your third offence within 3 years, you will not receive another penalty notice; instead, the case will be referred to the Magistrate's Court for consideration and you may receive a criminal record and a fine of up to £2,500.

If you don't pay the fine, you'll be prosecuted for the original offence of failing to secure attendance. If proven, the court can impose a fine of up to £2,500 and/or three months' imprisonment.

Frequently asked questions