Do you take your kids out of school to go DRP?

[mulan1]

Hi everyone,
I was just wondering if any of you take your kids out of school to go on hol, and if so how old are your lil uns and what do you tell the school, or what does the school say??
I wonder as I know holidays would be cheaper and quieter during term time...
What does everyone think about the subject please?

 

[sjaakie]

Certainly NOT .
You give your children the signal than rules don’t matter and are made for other people.

The school my kids went always informed the police if children just didn't show up and in case of sickness I had to get a letter from my dokter.
They were very very strict in this matter.

 

[Cyrano]

On the whole most of our trips are in the summer and therefore don't affect school.
We did have 1 trip at Christmas season in November that required taking the troops out from school.
So I answered have/would

 

[mulan1]

thi is really interesting to me, my DS is only 4 and we haven't taken him out of school for anything other than hospital appointments or for sickness. I might take him out for maybe one day like a friday or a monday, but only if the school gave permission..
Reid what did your childrens school say when you took them out and how old were they? (if you don't mind of course?)

 

[Cyrano]

As on other boards this type of thread can become personal regarding pro school versus pro family time and going off season.
Therefore I'm not going to add my personal opinion on this, but should put up a disclaimer in the interest of full disclosure that I am Chair of our Schools Parent Council.

 

[giuly09]

I have done it in the past and will do again next October, as long as i make it clear that this is a *special* occasion and not something *normal*.
Mind you my youngest is 14 and 1/2

 

[sara969]

My daughter will be missing a couple of days at Pre-School when we go to DLP in November.

(Ive still got to pay for her sessions at Pre-School, even if she dosnt go... either because of sickness or a holiday.)
Im sure it will be worth it though

 

[jillrobinson]

I have in the past, however DS1 is now Year 9, so I'm more reluctant to remove him during term time.
The last 2 weeks of his July term and the week before Christmas though is the time when the school he attends takes it's pupils on trips and to be honest I was surprised last year as he did very little work during these times, although watched many, many films during "lessons", if I had to go out of holidays I would consider going at these times.
I have to say too that both my two manage very well at school, DS2 is year 4,I have always been honest with the school and have always ensured they've caught up on any missed work.

Luckily our next planned trip is for Halloween and falls within half term.

 

[Rachie B]

for our previous 2 trips ( oct 06 and july 07) we have indeed taken our 2 boys out of school

3 day trips both times ( so they missed the fri and mondays of school)

However,as of last sept, we no longer will be taking them out of school,as the eldest is now in secondary school,and he would miss too much / have lots to catch up on.

whereas in junior school he always caught up fine,and the holidays were always authorised fine by the school

we now only take holidays during school holidays,
and will be in DLRP during summer holidays this yr

 

[loobymiss]

I put in a holiday request form first before booking DLP and the head teacher approved it no problem.

New experiences can be educational. My DD's are very excited about going to a new country and have their head stuck in the french phrase book for the last week!!

We are going away in the last week of term immediatly after my children have finished their SAT's so I can't see them missing much work anyway.

 

[marcus.ka]

Certainly NOT .
The school my kids went always informed the police if children just didn't show up and in case of sickness I had to get a letter from my dokter.
They were very very strict in this matter.

They are also very strict about that in Germany. You can only take your kids out of school for 2 or 3 days every year and this realy has to be a special occasions. (Like marriges or funerals and so on)
I was shooked when I heard a British woman in the waiting line for Crush when she told me that in the UK you can take out your children for 4 weeks every year. And she even said she is using this 4 weeks every year.

 

[Rachie B]

its actually 10 days ! lol ( so 2 weeks )

and this is not guaranteed,a lot of schools now are imposing a fine if you take term time holidays

£50 per child IIRC

 

[loobymiss]

They are also very strict about that in Germany. You can only take your kids out of school for 2 or 3 days every year and this realy has to be a special occasions. (Like marriges or funerals and so on)
I was shooked when I heard a British woman in the waiting line for Crush when she told me that in the UK you can take out your children for 4 weeks every year. And she even said she is using this 4 weeks every year.

Gosh that does sound strict! It's not 4 weeks at my kids school but up to 10 days that may be approved but only for a family holiday not for the odd day off here and there.

There are certain times of year that won't be authorised like September and during SAT tests etc but otherwise it is usually allowed.

 

[Rachie B]

Certainly NOT .
You give your children the signal than rules don’t matter and are made for other people.

The school my kids went always informed the police if children just didn't show up and in case of sickness I had to get a letter from my doctor.
They were very very strict in this matter.

so even if it was just a tummy bug etc,you had to go and bother the GP for a sicknote ?!

 

[DLPdaft]

My daughters school is absolutely fine about applying for up to 10 days per year pre-approved days off school - and I have taken her out of school for 3-day trips to DLRP.

She is in primary year 2, top of her class, is very very rarely off school ill, and has no problem at all catching up with anything that has been covered in her days away. If she was struggling at school, I wouldn't take her out, and when she is older, for example taking exams, and certainly at high school, where the onus is much more on her to manage her time/keep up, I won't be taking her out of school for holidays. Unless, as Jill has already said, the pattern at the school allows for periods just before official term ends, where theres not much actual schoolwork going on. I might consider it then - but thats a long way in the future for my child.

Elaine

 

[jillrobinson]

Agree with loobymiss too, DLRP can be educational, language, culture, food, geography, art, social skills

Bit off topic but.
I have to say I find it incredible that Local Education Authority are being allowed to impose fines, when Tour Operators seem to be able to get away with charging what they like during school hols.
I've booked a weekend break for the 14th March at a Haven campsite for DS's birthday, it's a 2 hour drive so won't affect school, but we would have gone the following weekend and made the most of it had it not been 4 times the price (because it's Easter)
Rant over.

 

[Cyrano]

I was shooked when I heard a British woman in the waiting line for Crush when she told me that in the UK you can take out your children for 4 weeks every year. And she even said she is using this 4 weeks every year.

I'm not sure what Local Authority this referred to but I suspect that this was the individuals interpretation, and not the Education services view

 

[karenmoloney]

I have taken DD1 (aged 5) out for 2 3 day trips in Nov 06 & 07 & plan to do the same this Nov. Her teacher gave her work to do both times she was away. I don't know if I would take her out for any longer. Her school doesn't mind them missing school for family holidays & there is always ones out of her class away. When she started the school, the booklet she got actually said in it that they understand that parents may have to take holidays during term time!!! At the moment she is still young & doesn't miss much. She is doing well at school & catching up is not a problem so I don't feel guilty. For longer breaks to Disney we have always gone in school holidays - she's off the first week in May, so guess where we'll be.

 

[hildasmuriel]

The Government guidelines are that schools should allow more than 10 days in any school year only in the most exceptional circumstances. However, like POTC, these are guidelines more than rules. Our Local Authority has decided to more strict and has imposed a maximum of tens days authorised leave during the entire time a child is in primary school and 10 days during their time in secondary school. Fines are becoming common for those who take unauthorised leave. (£50 per parent, per child - rising to £100 if not paid within a certain time).
Depending on how much the holiday costs, some parents pay the fine quite happily as it is still cheaper than going in school holiday time.

It won't matter if you're only going on a short trip - but for those planning DLRP as part of a longer break (That is if your trip is for more than 10 school days) - you must make sure you are not even one day late coming back from holiday as the school is within their rights to take your child off the school roll and you may come home to find their place has been filled and they have no school to go to. Extreme I know, but it has happened three times this year in my school.

 

[hildasmuriel]

Sorry - forgot to add I couldn't answer the poll.

I can't take term time holidays in any circumstances. I could probably get leave for the children but the Head won't let me go.

I'm her P.A, btw.