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Oh I see it's about me being selfish, well no worries I'll agree with you on that. I'll be sure to wear a sackcloth on the slopes. I'm happy that my kids are confident, outgoing boys who get out and do stuff I reckon 5 days is not the end of the world.
missing the first 3 days of term - even if thats no academic disadvantage will it not be a social one? Those first days of term where kids sort out who sits where and get to know each other and find their way around?
I'm happy that my kids are confident, outgoing boys
Well according to the research, not for long:
• Primary school staff thought that on returning to school, poor attenders
suffered a loss of confidence due to the fact that they are unable to
understand the work.
• Secondary school staff thought that this loss of confidence led to attention
seeking and disruptive behaviour.
• Most of the teachers thought unacceptable absences had a negative effect
on peer relationships.
Well worth reading the research paper, so at least you know the impacts of your choices, as I said its your choice but don't try and pretend 'it will do them no harm', and/or 'its good for them' as that's total rubbish and you know it.
So you're saying that planning a 5 day absence to do a physical activity in another country for a child that has a otherwise perfect attendance record leads to Macdonalds?
I think Macdonalds is the very upper scale of ambition. That's if you're lucky. It'll more than likely be Broadmoor. Via child prostitution and drug dealing obviously. Taking your kids out of school for a couple of days? I'm getting social services on yo ass. Its tantamount to child abuse, quite frankly. You're not fit to be a parent!
How old? My August-born second son started full time at 4yrs and 1 month. He was far too young, but the school said full-time or they could not hold his place until the summer. His older son didn't start until the term before he was five - summer term. This was much more satisfactory.
If he's five before Christmas, I'd say no, school is full-time. Otherwise fine.
I did remove my eldest son or an educational visit to Heathrow to watch the last landing of the three Concordes, also both missed a week as part of a trip to the US.
I wouldn't personally do it without good reason, but tbh, in reception year, I'd be fairly relaxed about it as a one-off.
If your kid gets chickenpox, then they'll be off for at least a week, and as a huge number of kids get it within a couple of years of starting school, I think scare stories about educational underachievement may be slightly overstated.
It's pretty obvious that kids who have more than occasional absences are likely to underachieve, but even this is likely to be due to more than one factor (perhaps more likely the underlying environment which leads to absence) - ie correlation rather than causation.
to the OP (cos I can't be assed wading through all the pish)
I wouldn't worry about it - attendance records aren't even compulsory for reception year children, that's how unimportant it is. I wouldn't get in to the habit mind you.
Seems harsh but missing a week of term would very likely result in not being able to catch up as the workload is pretty massive
Clearly sickness is not a problem then?
My next door neighbour was stuck in Gran Canaria with his family last year with the volcano dust
He phoned the school to let them know and the HM told him he wasn't allowed to keep them off school and it would be recorded as unauthorised
his kids are now obviously doomed to a life of destitution
I value education highly however I also value having fun and living life. I ought to be shot for my lack of care for my kids.
My stance is that school is important & there's no way my kids are missing it unless there's a really good reason.
You are right. Taking kids out of school for any reason isn't good but taking them out to fit in with someone's social calendar is just ridiculous.
This is our first child in school, and she's from Brazil where the attitude to schooling seems extremely relaxed, so she doesn't see any issue whatsoever with missing a few days 'just because'
But your child is in school in the UK? not Brazil?
I would not let my child miss the start of a new term just so they can go visit some friends. Thats ridiculous.
Fast forward to secondary school when your child is bunking off to go and see friends....what would you say? you should lead by example.
My parents run a shop in a seaside town so there was absolutely no way they could take us on holiday during the school holidays so we always went in June and September.
September was a bit more disruptive as it was at the beginning of the year when I was making new friends and settling into a new routine but it didn't do me any harm in the longterm. Certainly less harm than never having a family holiday would have done.
Do it. Less competition for my daughter when she makes it to the real world.
it didn't do me any harm in the longterm
I KNEW thre was something about you - now I know! 😉
For me this is a parental judgement. Would I take my kids out of school to do not a lot at home or a mates house? No. Would I take them on a round the world trip with visits, other cultures and adventures? You bet ya. Watch me around Christmas 2012 🙂
Why not eh?
As a deputy head of a Pupil Referral Unit I can confirm that there is no correlation between parental attitudes towards casual absenteeism, lack of respect/punctuality, low grades/self-esteem/social skills and a prolonged stay in my school.
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oh, hang on a minute...
Those first days of term where kids sort out who sits where and get to know each other and find their way around?
You honestly think P1s sort out where they sit?
and I think they might just already know each other (and their way round) fairly well seeing as it's the second term.
🙄
kid'll miss very little, if you're really worried, ask the teacher what she/he'll be teaching at the start of term, it won't be a whole lot.
Won't matter a jot, not exactly doing much when they first start school
Was pretty relaxed with my daughter, we sometimes went away for long weekends and the occasional holiday in term time. Even at secondary school she had the odd day off here and there if something else more interesting came up
Left with 12 gcse's, 3 good A levels and is in her last year of an Optometry degree, so not exactly a failure because of it.
Most of us welcome kids staying out of school, after all make life easy for us. Being a teacher i want to do as little as possible for as little time as i can and get paid a wacking great salary. Then retire at 45 with a 80k pension.
Its a great life you all should try it.
Happy days.
p.s. word of advice keep a back up plan as you will prob not last a week.
GW - hence the question marks
The school does not grant permission. You simply tell them why your child is not in school, and they record it appropriately. In this case it will be UPH - Unauthorised Parental Holiday. The Local Authority won't prick it's ears up until a child has had 2 weeks out of school. If you regularly exceed 2 weeks, you may be given advice/reminded of your obligations.
The school is under no obligation to provide work or information for the days you miss.
100s of kids miss school for holidays every year at my school. It is not ideal, but it is reality.
I think you've got your answers now 😉hence the question marks
I was talking to my sister last night. The school my two nephews attend allow up to 10 days term time absence.
Apparently some parents treat this as additional holiday allowance and make sure their children use all 10 days each year.
😕
I should imagine that's because all parents know what's best for their kids, especially when it involves planning their own social life, just like they know its never them when there is trouble.
Mind you I expect its the same parents who blame everything on the teachers when they find out little timmy is the thickest in the class, and the most disruptive and its going to leave school without any qualifications.
Who needs experts or research into this, when every parent is bestowed with this knowledge at the instant of conception of their first born.
FFS! it's never Timmy
I should imagine that's because all parents know what's best for their kids, especially when it involves planning their own social life, just like they know its never them when there is trouble.Mind you I expect its the same parents who blame everything on the teachers when they find out little timmy is the thickest in the class, and the most disruptive and its going to leave school without any qualifications.
Who needs experts or research into this, when every parent is bestowed with this knowledge at the instant of conception of their first born.
Now you're starting to sound like Hora.
Bit of a poor rant there. Some of us make informed and considered decisions, you know, and can still come to different conclusions to yours.
richc was being sarcsastic I think (?)
At least, that's how I read it ...
Personally I think the OPs suggestion that home on the 3rd for a return to school is the right compromise.
Can you take them all out with you please.
My Sis would be very greatful, shes a Headmistress and in need of a few more hours off "work".