School rules . .

[flowrida]

We are in orlando at the moment and when we flew out last Friday we were really surprised at the amount of children who were on our flight. When our children were school age (which admittedly was some time ago) we were given a hard time if we wanted to take the girls out of school for holiday . . Mainly due of course to the ridiculous price hike for the school holidays! I'm curious. . .have times changed are schools more flexible no, would be good as grandchildren will be wanting town us soon!!

 

[marcgiu]

Hi - If anything its less flexible (particularly at my 2 son's schools). Basically the heads at their schools no longer have power of discretion to approve leave. Anything that's taken is classed as unauthorised absence.

My youngest's school actually state they will fine you £60 per week if you take your child out of school - Travel Agents must be rubbing their hands

 

[BudgieMama]

I work in a high school. Except in exceptional circumstances (taking a last holiday with dying family members, for example), pupils are not given permission for holidays during school time.

Our HT introduced this before the government brought in the fines, but his reasoning is "I have a lot of staff who would love cheaper holidays with their children. If I gave my staff time off for holidays, parents would be up in arms. Why should the children not have to follow the same expectations?"

I know people moan about teacher's salaries and long holidays (I'm not a teacher, but see how hard they work, and they earn every penny) but most support staff aren't earning very much (teaching assistants in particular, who do an incredible job) and would love to have a cheaper holiday, but can't.

To be honest, for high school age children, I'd up the fine considerably to make it more of a deterrent... but this is one of my pet peeves! I'll get off my soap box now!

 

[cjbcam]

I work in a high school. Except in exceptional circumstances (taking a last holiday with dying family members, for example), pupils are not given permission for holidays during school time.

Our HT introduced this before the government brought in the fines, but his reasoning is "I have a lot of staff who would love cheaper holidays with their children. If I gave my staff time off for holidays, parents would be up in arms. Why should the children not have to follow the same expectations?"

I know people moan about teacher's salaries and long holidays (I'm not a teacher, but see how hard they work, and they earn every penny) but most support staff aren't earning very much (teaching assistants in particular, who do an incredible job) and would love to have a cheaper holiday, but can't.

To be honest, for high school age children, I'd up the fine considerably to make it more of a deterrent... but this is one of my pet peeves! I'll get off my soap box now!

There is a couple major differences the number one being the teachers are PAID to be there it's their JOB. Number two I would have a hard time being dictated to about what I can do with MY children. Unless you are the one raising them and paying for them (including paying for their holidays) then you should have NO say.

 

[Portugal1000]

My sons primary school was a high achieving state school in Reigate and the headmaster had absolutely no problem with taking children out for 10 days a year. He use to regularly say that family holidays were a very important time in a childs life and if it was either during school time or no holiday atall due to the ridiculous prices during school holidays then it would be the school time holiday everytime. We took our son out for the last 2 weeks before the school holidays in December every single year whilst he was there. He achieved 3 5a's in his Sats and I truly believe missing those 2 weeks made absolutely no difference. I found it very difficult to get time off work in summer holidays because priority was given to those with children at secondary school. We have gone for 3 weeks for the last 3 Augusts and we do love that also, its nice to get away in the school holidays but I really do miss my Christmas' at Disney! I think its a shame they have cracked down as it will be the people who cant afford to go away in school holidays who will miss out. I completely agree that it tough taking secondary school children out because theres just so much to catch up on, so I wouldn't even ask, even though I get the impression that the same thing happens at the end of term, i.e not very much!!

 

[BudgieMama]

I completely agree that it tough taking secondary school children out because theres just so much to catch up on, so I wouldn't even ask, even though I get the impression that the same thing happens at the end of term, i.e not very much!!

Having seen first hand how children struggle to catch up (especially GCSE courses, which can start as early as summer term in Year 9 and A Level), you'd be right. Some schools might doss around at the end of term, but I work in a high targets school (with results to match), so kids are working until the final bell on the last day of term (and woe betide any teacher who wants to run a quiz or watch a video in the last week or two- our Leadership Team come down really hard on staff trying that one!)

I do think primary school is a different ball game, and parents know their kids best and whether they'll suffer. My soapbox kinda came from the very entitled attitude I hear from complaining parents at our school- happy to take kids out, not happy to put in ANY effort to help said kids catch up when they're back again (broad generalisation, but the majority of the ones I come in contact with). I also come from a background where, when my dad left, my mum and us didn't have a holiday (UK based or abroad) for 10 years because finances wouldn't allow it at any time of year. I have a bit of a issue with the idea of a foreign holiday being a right, not a privilege!

 

[Portugal1000]

I do agree. I remind my son constantly of just how lucky he is but then I also think if he doesn't get a holiday then neither do I, and I love my holidays. We are lucky enough to go away 2 or 3 times a year but now always in school holidays. There are still ways of saving huge amounts of money even in July/August. My flight this year to Orlando was £420 which is cheaper than what I have paid in December. My son is in year 9 now so we are just going through all the option evenings. It's going to be hard work over the next few years, I'll definitely need a holiday!!!

 

[BudgieMama]

My son is in year 9 now so we are just going through all the option evenings. It's going to be hard work over the next few years, I'll definitely need a holiday!!!

Ouch! Best of luck to him- it's a tough few years ahead! Although the long summer after the end of Year 11 will be nice!

Nice price on the flights, btw- do you mind if I ask who with? (already starting to think about 2015!! )

 

[Portugal1000]

They were with Delta from heathrow so not direct but for £420 I didn't care. We went the first day of school holidays but I think we could have gone other days for same price. I think quite a few people here got the great price. I hadn't even thought about year 11. I could probably get 5 weeks off work if some of it wasn't in normal school holidays. We might finally have time to drive down to the keys. Better start planning and saving!

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

We are in orlando at the moment and when we flew out last Friday we were really surprised at the amount of children who were on our flight. When our children were school age (which admittedly was some time ago) we were given a hard time if we wanted to take the girls out of school for holiday . . Mainly due of course to the ridiculous price hike for the school holidays! I'm curious. . .have times changed are schools more flexible no, would be good as grandchildren will be wanting town us soon!!

Regardless of peoples personal opinion on this matter, the reason why you see lots of children on these flights is because to go to Florida out of holiday time is significantly cheaper,so to pay a £60-£100 fine is financially a no brainer!

 

[flortlebap]

Regardless of peoples personal opinion on this matter, the reason why you see lots of children on these flights is because to go to Florida out of holiday time is significantly cheaper,so to pay a £60-£100 fine is financially a no brainer!

Agree with this - it literally saves our family of six thousands!

The fine doesn't bother me at all, but the head of one of my kids schools strikes me as the kind of person who would send a welfare officer round if I did dare take my DD out of school, despite her 100% attendance record...

 

[disneymotts]

Private schools are starting their Christmas holidays this week - could account for some of the children on the flight.

 

[Minniesgal]

There is a couple major differences the number one being the teachers are PAID to be there it's their JOB. Number two I would have a hard time being dictated to about what I can do with MY children. Unless you are the one raising them and paying for them (including paying for their holidays) then you should have NO say.

Well said

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

I'm taking my child out of school, not because of the price mainly because my DH and I struggle to get time off at the same time. School holidays are particular pressure points where we work and we are not allowed this time off due to cover needed. So it's no holiday together or time of school. We accept the telling off from the school because Family hols are important.

 

[tinkerpea]

I take my children out for 3wks a year and will continue to do so,
Ill happily pay the fines as its nowhere close to what the prices of school holiday are!

Having a hubby in the forces dictates very strongly when we can spend time as a family and so its important to us,
Also with me being ill all last summer and spending no time with the children unless they visited me in hospital or sat with me in bed at home out holiday this October was very important to us!

I have now been diagnosed with a very serious illness which means I can get very sick at any time and the doctors can not tell me what my time line is.
So with that in mind its even MORE important to spend time with the children where they are not thinking about when I'm next in hospital or when daddy is next away.

I honestly believe it should be up to the parents wether they take a trip I school time or not! It's the parents who being up the children pay for everything for them, I don't understand why the school should get a day in something as important as family time, unless of course its right over GCSE times.

We're actually going again in May and would never normally do 2 trips in one year taking the boys out of school,
but last year was tough with me having chemo,and operations then the boys having the house invaded twice a day for 3 months while nurses came in twice a day for my treatment.then. We get posted in january so have to move house as dh needs to do a 9 month posting in narcotics and learn the job he will be doing in the US, plus he is going away for 5 months before the trip & its the twins birthday,
So as they are only 9,9,11 were making the most of it.

 

[cjbcam]

I take my children out for 3wks a year and will continue to do so,
Ill happily pay the fines as its nowhere close to what the prices of school holiday are!

Having a hubby in the forces dictates very strongly when we can spend time as a family and so its important to us,
Also with me being ill all last summer and spending no time with the children unless they visited me in hospital or sat with me in bed at home out holiday this October was very important to us!

I have now been diagnosed with a very serious illness which means I can get very sick at any time and the doctors can not tell me what my time line is.
So with that in mind its even MORE important to spend time with the children where they are not thinking about when I'm next in hospital or when daddy is next away.

I honestly believe it should be up to the parents wether they take a trip I school time or not! It's the parents who being up the children pay for everything for them, I don't understand why the school should get a day in something as important as family time, unless of course its right over GCSE times.

We're actually going again in May and would never normally do 2 trips in one year taking the boys out of school,
but last year was tough with me having chemo,and operations then the boys having the house invaded twice a day for 3 months while nurses came in twice a day for my treatment.then. We get posted in january so have to move house as dh needs to do a 9 month posting in narcotics and learn the job he will be doing in the US, plus he is going away for 5 months before the trip & its the twins birthday,
So as they are only 9,9,11 were making the most of it.

Hope you end up getting better. I agree 100%. While school is important family time is more important. Especially when a mom or dad might not be well for long. As long as the kids are keeping up with school or catch up the school should have NO say. I hope you make a ton of happy memories on your trip.

 

[Elise79]

I will start this by saying I have daughter in year 1 so do have some experience in this area

I honestly do not understand by people are so surprised by the change in rules and fines for removing children from school.

We all know when we have children that they are going to have to attend school from age 4 to 18 and with that comes restrictions on when we can have holidays. This is the law in this country at the moment.

Family time is important but they doesn't equal a right to a holiday abroad. As a child we only had a holiday abroad every 3-5 years - all others were Cornwall or the Channel Islands. Our DD is extremely lucky and we make sure she knows it

Our DD is missing the last half day of term before Xmas but it is the only day of the year I would even contemplate her missing. Even a couple of days off sick results in massive amounts of catch up work so I wouldn't willingly put her under pressure to have to catch because we have been on holiday.

There should be exceptions for example with jobs where parents are told when they can have leave with no flexibility however they should be the exception rather than the rule.

 

[wayneg]

For me its down to the individual child, how much illness time do they have off? how easy do they catch up? family circumstances etc.

We took our Son out for 2 weeks every year in Junior school + his 1st year at High school, he was the youngest in the class yet the top in every subject, don't recall 1 day off for illness in all his schooling, work was taken away with us and very easily caught up. Now he is half way thru an English Language degree I am 100% sure we did the right thing.

For us school was only part of his education, family time and holidays were also a massive contribution, there is no way a classroom can teach you about drugs or a Van Gough painting, we took him to Amsterdam for that, Seeing the original Winnie the pooh toys & the Statue of Liberty in New York was mind boggling for a 9 year old.

There is no perfect solution, each parent must do what they think is right for their child and live with what they decide.

 

[luke]

I will start this by saying I have daughter in year 1 so do have some experience in this area I honestly do not understand by people are so surprised by the change in rules and fines for removing children from school. We all know when we have children that they are going to have to attend school from age 4 to 18 and with that comes restrictions on when we can have holidays. This is the law in this country at the moment. Family time is important but they doesn't equal a right to a holiday abroad. As a child we only had a holiday abroad every 3-5 years - all others were Cornwall or the Channel Islands. Our DD is extremely lucky and we make sure she knows it Our DD is missing the last half day of term before Xmas but it is the only day of the year I would even contemplate her missing. Even a couple of days off sick results in massive amounts of catch up work so I wouldn't willingly put her under pressure to have to catch because we have been on holiday. There should be exceptions for example with jobs where parents are told when they can have leave with no flexibility however they should be the exception rather than the rule.

Possibly the most reasonable post I've seen on this

 

[2Tiggies]

When our children were school age (which admittedly was some time ago) we were given a hard time if we wanted to take the girls out of school for holiday . .

Many schools still give a hard time about this. Bottom line for me is I am the parent. I will decide.

Giving me a hard time is not going to change my mind.

FWIW, DD is now in first year secondary school. Last session a classmate was off for 2 weeks to go to WDW. When she returned DD was asked to be paired with her and help her catch up. It was holding DD back. I sent a note in and said, basically, find someone else to help the kid.

It cuts both ways. If I take my child out (and I have done over the years) it is ME who is responsible for missed work being caught up, not the teachers and not other pupils. If you're fine with that, I think less folk have a right to get their back up about it