surfer : they didn't say anything, all at primary at the time and we filled out the form and had the holiday authorised. You are allowed to take them out of school for 2 weeks holiday in North Yorks if you fill in the official form. I did emphasise that it was an educational holiday, learning how to ski and learn French! However, this year we've booked and will have to take one out of High School for 4 days as the school hols that our chums have are different to ours.
I empathise with the buddy situation, lots of our chums are teachers so we don't go with them, just another bunch (mountain biking and climbing lot).
Contact me if you need to know anything else 🙂 The kids'll be hooked so be prepared to do it every year!