[Closed] Taking your kids out of school during term time!!!!

What if the school were to close for a fortnight mid-term so that the teachers could take a cheap break, eh? 😉

No, I agree, nothing like a bit of quality family time. I remember when my lads were small, applying for 2 weeks' holiday either side of the Easter break. The school head was fine about it and suggested that instead of supplying homework (which we'd asked for), that my eldest (aged 7) compile a journal. We drove USA coast to coast (Baltimore to LA - told the kids we were going to Disneyland 😉 - via Moab of course 8) ) and the journal which Lucas made, complete with drawings and photographs, was put on display in the school on our return. Experiential learning at its very best.

5 pound per person per day my arse!! That on my limited education would amount to 20 pounds a day for us. In reality it's actually about 80 a day. The main thing that riled me about the issue was the little attempted threat on the form, since September I think both my kids have had about 3 or 4 days off each due to illness. Oh and id love to take them skiing/boarding but that's seriously expensive in the school hols!!

I think there is a lot of putting the cart before the horse going on here.

Maybe the complaints should be addressed at the holiday companies / airlines rather than at the schools?

Although it would also make life a bit easier for everyone if maybe schools could phase their holidays a bit more in different areas.

I think schools only get concerned over those who have an existing poor attendence record, if a child is otherwise attending then they'll pay little attention.

Parents are also extremely unreliable judges of how intelligent their kids are, and how well they are doing with their schooling

This is probably the most important thing so far on this thread. The number of times parents have approached me during term time incredulous as to how badly their child is doing academically becomes more regular with each year that passes. Usually there is the genetics argument ([i]"... but my husband is a surgeon and I'm a human rights lawyer; how could Tarquin possibly be behind...?"[/i]) or the accusation that 'the wrong crowd' have been leading their precious child astray, but more often than not you can count absences and falling behind academically as a key point.

I accept that for a minority of pupils, the social, cultural and educational benefits to visiting another country are worth it, but these are few and far between. I don't think that teachers should have to assist individual learning at the cost of dragging a full class back academically just because they went away. And that really is what happens. And honestly, how many of you as parents have sat in on catch-up classes after holidays in order to check the progress of you children/see how far they are behind? Very few, I imagine.

I understand the cost issue; as a teacher, I get hit with exactly the same financial handicap - but there is too much evidence to suggest that children taken out of school during term time are negatively affected academically to make light of it.

What annoys me as a teacher is when the parents demand 2 weeks worth of work off you so little Jimmy doesnt fall behind, as has been said you know whats best for him you teach him, because being given some pages out of a book and told to get on with it is all I do in lessons anyway. I spend the rest of my time sitting on my arse drinking coffee.

Can we also have a promise that the complainers here wont be complaining when I go on strike next year?

A.A, I felt exactly that. "We are going on holiday during school term, could you set up two weeks work for my child which they will not do anyway?" (notice no please or thank you) A wee thought, jobs market is tough yes? So when a prospective employer gets to see your child's attendance record and they see UNA (unauthorised abs) for a week.I suppose that will be the schools fault for not asking in August when you may feel like taking the kids out?
Still as A.A said, home schooling next year for all of you. Maybe you could time your holiday for then?

Slightly controversial, but if you can't go on holiday during the school holiday, maybe an option would be not to go away on holiday for a year.

but there is too much evidence to suggest that children taken out of school during term time are negatively affected academically to make light of it.

Are the kids similarly negatively affected if the school has to close for a couple of weeks for - say - cold weather?
I remember the teachers on here last Winter - when some schools closed for a while - claiming that a bit of extra holiday playing in the snow would be good for them [the kids, that is]

really uplink? sure your memories are correct?

uplink - I'd be interested to read those quotes you are going to unearth to back that up too.

However, you are not really getting the crux of the issue. If the whole class makes progress on a topic except Little Uplink (if such an incarnation exists) because is was in Alicante, either he/she will remain confuddled about the area and all subsequent teaching based on that knowledge or teacher time will be taken up with LU helping them to catch up at the expense of the rest of the class. If the whole class/school miss school the teachers are able to rearrange the whole taught syllabus around the available time.

The head teacher at our kid's school is usually very cool about it. We have asked once and got the OK, then when we asked again got a 'no'. I approached the head teacher and she quietly told me it's no problem at all, kids usually get a lot out of traveling because it's an education in itself and to enjoy ourselves. We asked for homework and was told not to worry but to do a little project with them if we want to which we did.

I think people sometimes get themselves unnecessarily worked up about it all.

BTW - school attendance certificate means NOTHING in relation to a career. I have a 12yr school attendance certificate that has never ever done me any good at all ever. I have always got my jobs based on qualifications and good interview skills. Teaching your child to connect with people will do them a hell of a lot more good than making sure they attend every single day.

And yes, agreed, our school was closed for nearly 2 weeks with the snow. We live 300 yards from the school and we can easily walk there which we did most days to get to the park for some snow ball fights.

I got taken out for a week or two most years when I was a kid, it didn't do any harm. Its only an issue because of the rise in competitive parenting and schools feeling entitled to dictate to parents. I'll take my kids out for the legal maximum if I feel like it.

uplink - I'd be interested to read those quotes you are going to unearth to back that up too.

Really? - no, I don't want to spend time in a TJ stylee doing that

But as I said earlier in this thread
We were refused absence for 1 day, the last day of summer term - the reason given? that he would miss vital lessons

This is the day that they do no work and go home straight after lunch

How can they refuse if you're entitled to 2 weeks?

I got taken out for a week or two most years when I was a kid, it didn't do any harm.

Its only an issue because of the rise in competitive parenting and schools feeling entitled to dictate to parents.

I'll take my kids out for the legal maximum if I feel like it.

If you don't want the structured format of traditional school education you can always opt out of that (that is something that is done long term not ad hoc) and educate your kids yourself, having convinced the local authority that they will receive suitable education.

TBH if you think the EWO after all these cuts are going to target a nice family who took a week out to go on holiday you are very much mistaken.
It was pretty hard to get them to get them to act when the kids had 70% non attendence IME have you any idea how many kids that actually is 😯
It is very disruptive for the teachers and they have my symapthy but yes I would do it and nothing will ever happen about it ever

My kids school gives tow weeks this half term so you can have the cheap week when all other schools are back and this works very well.

I have no problem with parents taking kids out during term time, so long as parents have no problem with their children falling behind. If you're confident that your child can catch up through home tutoring, then do it.

If the whole class/school miss school the teachers are able to rearrange the whole taught syllabus around the available time.

Exactly. And with the greatest of respect, don't bore me with horse-shit about teachers enjoying the time off due to snow; take that up with the SMT and the governors. If I had my way, every bastard would be in regardless of the weather conditions.

I remember the teachers on here last Winter - when some schools closed for a while - claiming that a bit of extra holiday playing in the snow would be good for them

Generalisation. Good work. Well thought out. 🙄

Generalisation. Good work. Well thought out.

........... and you weren't generalising about parents motives? 🙄

anyway, care to comment on my experience of being refused 1 days absence?

My problem is that parents taking kids out of class are creating an impression with them that their education falls lower down the list of priorities than saving a few bob on the trip to florida/magaluf etc. This will impact on the level of effort the kid puts into his/her studies and the level of achievement/performance in class.

If parents are comfortable with this then by all means take your kids out of class but don't complain when the inevitable happens.

We go to glastonbury every year as a family, have done since they was born, I couldn't care less what school say they learn more there on a week than any school could teach em

I would say it taught me that it was alright to go and have a bit of fun as long as you made sure you got your work done.

Maybe you are training your kid up to be a joyless clockwatcher. Its worth bearing in mind.

uplink - your 1 day absence - i think you are taking it the wrong way (assuming your school works like ours does). You asked to remove your child from school to take them on holiday. The policy says "holiday = unauthorised absence" therefore thats what you were told. Why you got the response you did about missing important schooling when you know there is very little formal education likely (although I note that our school does actually teach on the last day) but there are of course objectionable people in most lines of work.

I blame the world.

and you weren't generalising about parents motives?

No. I wasn't. At all. I questioned the sensibilities of such a decision.

anyway, care to comment on my experience of being refused 1 days absence?

No. Why would I? I have no idea of the situation. Is your child failing? Are they behind on their literacy, numeracy and oracy level predictors? Has your child been excluded? Is your child a trouble maker? Have you taken your child out of school before now, and has it had a detrimental effect on their schooling? Have you agreed to adhere to the schools policy of attendance?

By all means ask for an opinion, but give all the variables first so that you can ensure an impartial and considered answer.

Take cheaper holidays or get a proper job that pays enough to take them on holiday when it suits you as opposed to the holiday company.

I have a proper job you patronising dick, I must however up my middle classness and go on holidays which we can't afford, but fund them by topping up the mortgage perhaps. Must keep up with the jones' eh 😉

[i]as the holiday costs are significant when you have to go during school holidays[/i]

nobody [i]has[/i] to take holidays you know

[i]Although it would also make life a bit easier for everyone if maybe schools could phase their holidays a bit more in different areas.[/i]

that's a pain in the a*** for the parents trying to juggle the extra childcare duties.

Leeds & Bradford, neighbouring authorities, tried that at easter this year. If you lived deep within one or the other district, not a problem, but if you lived in say Baildon where I live, or just up the hill a couple of miles in Menston (Bradford) or its immediate neighbour Guiseley (Leeds), you could have little uns in primary school in Bradford district and bigger uns in high school in Leeds district.

First 2 weeks, Leeds are off so you have to sort childcare for the ones in high school, then Leeds go back and bingo, now Bradford are off and so you have to sort [i]more[/i] childcare for the primary kids. That did not go down well

Surely just send little Timmy to school with an air pistol, half a bottle of gin and some magic mushy tea.

Instant suspension = sanctioned holiday 🙂

"I have a proper job you patronising dick,"

Well.....obviously you don't or you would not be on here whinging and whining about it would you?

When I left school it was fairly apparent that I'd need a job that paid well to meet all my and my potential family's needs,interests and desires. So I made sure that I got one. I have no interest in people's perceptions of what my class may or may not be, nor do I care what the Jones may or may not own 🙂

Ringo - Member

We go to glastonbury every year as a family, have done since they was born, I couldn't care less what school say they learn more there on a week than any school could teach em

Holidays where kids go travelling and experience other cultures are ok in my eyes (attendance officer/assistant head of year in a large secondary school) as long as the kid has an otherwise (95%+) attendance level. If its a chav family holiday to magaluf for little shane and he is an 80% attendance kid then its well out of order.

You lot keep taking your kids out of school for your cheaper trips to Majorca. Less competition for Ms TT when she goes through a full schooling = win for my child. 😀

What TT said.

Sorry at what point did I moan about my job? I moaned about the veiled threat on the form and about the cost difference. I'm sure the kids won't miss too much and a good dose of activity and sea air is good for anyone of any age anytime in my book!

such as??????
Holidays where kids go travelling and experience other cultures are ok in my eyes (attendance officer/assistant head of year in a large secondary school) as long as the kid has an otherwise (95%+) attendance level. If its a chav family holiday to magaluf for little shane and he is an 80% attendance kid then its well out of order

Bang on. This is my exact point.

I think its an interesting comparison between the priorities of educationalists and parents. I get tired of the constant negativity towards teachers and schools regarding holidays, standards, rules etc. Personally, if parents think they can do a better job of educating their children, I'd fully support them withdrawing their children and home-teaching.

Just sent them to public school, their holidays normally start before state schools.

excellent so posh folk can do cultural stuff because that is valuable but other folk cant do what they want as that is a bit chavvy....is this official education policy?
What if the attendece was due to illness and the holiday a reward and the only one they could afford?
Dont be so judgemental your job is to educate them not impose some sort of middle claaa morality on them.

my kids' schools will authorise up to ten days per academic year.
i always take mine for a weeks holiday in Cornwall, the week before Whit half term.
it is purely down to cost , i couldnt take them during half term as the price is double.
i see our family holiday as important, my children enjoy it too, and if it is instead of a weeks schooling then so be it.
i think most people who judge , saying you shouldn't go during school term , are those that have the choice to go during the more expensive times of school holidays. but in reality, lots of families cannot afford to do the same.

your job is to educate them not impose some sort of middle claaa morality on them.

Of course it does help teachers to educate them if they are actually there!

Hoist by your own petard.

i think most people who judge , saying you shouldn't go during school term , are those that have the choice to go during the more expensive times of school holidays.

Alas no. My wife is a teacher, so we just don't do expensive overseas hols. Mind you, we have lots of fun cycle touring, camping etc.

sticks fingers up runs of sulking
Damn you and your edcuated ways
I concede and lovely riposte

It's not just foreign holidays that cost more though.
UK holidays are more in school holidays too. my week in Cornwall is double in the Whit half term than the week before. its hardly a posh overseas holiday.
same for camping, they charge more when the kids are off.

I must however up my middle classness and go on holidays which we can't afford, but fund them by topping up the mortgage perhaps. Must keep up with the jones' eh

Or just go on cheaper holidays as suggested. Or none if you can't afford it, which is likely to be the situation I will find myself in when my kids are of school age. I find the arguments made by the teachers on this thread to be reasonably compelling tbh.

BTW - school attendance certificate means NOTHING in relation to a career. I have a 12yr school attendance certificate that has never ever done me any good at all ever. I have always got my jobs based on qualifications and good interview skills. Teaching your child to connect with people will do them a hell

I used to read the attendance record of the 100 or so applicants for our two apprenticeships very closely. Every school in Scotland will provide a print out of all lates and abs for the pupils last two years of school.

What if the attendece was due to illness and the holiday a reward and the only one they could afford?

So they have missed a long period of school through illness and you would take them out for a bit longer? C'mon Junkyard you can play devils advocate better than that. And from somebody who works in FE as well.
I suspect that there is a lot of people on this thread trying to justify taking their kids out of school,while knowing it is a wee bit naughty. If you think it is ok to adjust term and holiday times to suit yourself,it also tells your kids that it is ok to adjust their following of school rules.And as stated,shows them where their education comes in the family priorities.

One point that's been missed. As a teacher my wife is pretty busy with planning, teaching etc. for her class of just under 30. Can someone explain why she should have to put in [b]extra[/b] work preparing "holiday packs" to support your cheap holiday. Also you will presumably have all the supporting resources and be fully able to answer any questions that may arise? Or is a cheap holiday really that important? You would also be equally comfortable with teachers taking time out for cheaper holidays?

As others have alluded to, education is compulsory - cheap holidays aren't.