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For the 3rd year running now, my ex has taken our son out of school during term time to go on holiday. The first and second time she took him to Barcelona, this year she has taken him to Disneyland Paris. The only times I have known about these have been when my son has told me himself. His mother has refused to ask for my consent on all 3 occasions, insists she has been given the 'OK' by the school head (Even claimed she had a letter off the head saying she will not be fined) I took the opportunity to call his school this week, but as my details are not on his records, they couldn't tell me anything. The woman did say I would need permission from his mother (To which she is refusing as she doesn't trust me)… Not as if I am going to turn up at his school and run off with him!
The school website clearly states they no longer authorise holidays during term time, and any parent found doing so will be fined. My solicitor told me I could also be fined even if I knew nothing about it. She said she would post a formal letter asking for my consent and would like it back by the 4th July. I never got it, and I text her asking how our son was (I always do on the weekend I don't have him) and she sent a photo on WhatsApp of our son standing next to a plane on the tarmac (She cannot claim it's an old photo as he was wearing a World Cup 2018 t-shirt) So she lied about when they were going...
I just know for a fact if it was me taking him out of school and go on holiday without her consent, she would go absolutely ballistic!!! For the record, I am not stopping our son from going or indeed stopping her from taking him, only wish I could (Major back problem prevents me doing much)… It's her attitude 'Oh I can do what I [censored] well like and don't need your say so'.
If I could afford it, I'd take her back to court.
Hi there
I think it would help if the school kept you in the loop. If you have Parental Responsibility you are entitled to receive updates from the school. I can link you with a template letter that you can amend and send to the school. You may have to provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate to prove that you’re named on it as the father.
To take your child out of the country, she does need your permission, unless she has a court order that specifies that the child lives with her, in which case she can...is there such an order in place?
As far as returning to court, you could apply for a Specific Issue Order, which would cost £215 and if you did it without a solicitor that would be the only cost.
It’s doable and we have many Dads that have managed the process with much success.
All the best
There is a consent order in place regarding contact, but nothing about where our son lives etc. My ex and I simply do not get on in the 8 years we have split up. She likes having her own way. A friend of mine says she wants a holiday and will stop at nothing to ensure she gets it.
I did receive a copy of his school report a couple of years ago, but not had one since, so I am guessing my details were on his records at some point but not anymore. If I do get fined, then I wouldn't like to be in her shoes as it won't be her going ballistic, it'll be me.
I do have a copy of his birth certificate, she has the original.
Thanks for the advice and template letter.
Steve.
If it isn’t stated on the order that the child lives with the mother, she does need your permission to travel abroad with your child. I understand that you wouldn’t wish to prevent your child from having a holiday, but school attendance is very important and children shouldn’t be taken out during school terms unless for exceptional circumstances.
You could inform her that on advice, you have learnt that she needs your permission to travel abroad with your child, and in the future, arrangements for holidays abroad during school term must be discussed with you first, if this doesn’t happen you will have no choice but to inform UK Customs that your child doesn’t have your permission to travel, which will mean that Customs will not allow them through passport control. It might make her think twice... best of luck
You could print her off a copy of these Government guidelines.
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