Made a mess of things

[kelliemc04]

Arghh I was so excited last night after booking a 3 night trip in February until I've realised I've booked the wrong dates! Wanted to go in the Feb half term and checked the dates but I must have looked at last years or something and now I will need to keep DD off school for 3 days - exactly what I didn't want to do
I doubt I can change now as the fees to change our flights are more expensive than the flights were. If I can work something out can anyone advise on if I can change my dates with DLP? The price is the same I just don't know if they will charge or I will lose money if I cancelled and rebooked??

What a dim whit!!!

Kellie x

 

[zinderella]

Oh Kellie poor you!!!!

Personally, I would simply explain your silly mistake and beg the school for the time off and make arrangements for your daughter to catch up. Clearly you are a very conscientious mother, and worry about her missing teaching, but as a teacher myself, I honestly doubt the 3 days will hinder your daughter's progress.

Changing your flights sounds a no go, so I really wouldn't beat yourself up about it (although like you I would be pretty devastated if I'd done it!). Speak to the headteacher asap and put your mind at rest.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[daiseyirl]

personely wouldnt take the kids outa school to go to disney so feel your pain!! Id be so pee off tbh!! But having said dat i would draw aline under it and go and have a fantastic time!! On another note dd1 missed 19days of school last year (her 1st yr of big schooldue to hosp app wasnt happy bout it but nothing we could do (we even had to cancel our hallween disney trip the day b4 and all) anyway didnt make any diffrence she didnt fall behind or anything with school so im sure 3 days will be ok. Doesnt sound like you can do much bout flights anyway.

 

[kizzabel]

It will probably cost a fortune to change around. We had to change flights last year and we lost all bar €20! So Id speak to the school and see if they ok it. If your DD had a bug or some other illness she could easily be out three days so Id say with a bit of forward planning you could even get her homework in advance and that way you would be 100% sure she hasnt missed anything and wont fall behind or have to catch up.

And on the upside you may find the parks are quieter. Dont worry about it because its definately workable.

 

[markpsych]

We took the kids out of school routinely over the years for their annual French cultural experience at DLP!

They've all survived

 

[hstatick]

I have to go along with the other posters regarding letting your child miss the days from school.

I know that schools aren't keen on pupils taking time off for holidays during term time but I feel that this is mainly to stop those who take time off for a number weeks year after year hence having a detrimental effect on their education.

Not sure how old your child is but doubt that missing three days is the end of the world.

 

[Ware Bears]

I have to go along with the other posters regarding letting your child miss the days from school.

So do I. I know you didn't want her to take any time off school but I fear you'd probably lose money changing your dates with DLP too as well as the money you'd lose on your flights.

What's done is done and it's only 3 days not a fortnight so I'm sure it won't be an issue with her school especially if you explain the circumstances.

Hope you can soon start feeling excited about your trip.

 

[aj2703]

Personally my view is the opposite to the majority. You are allowed to take your kids out of school for ten days of every school year. I think the fact that holiday companies etc charge premium prices within the school holiday period is wrong. If you can save yourself money by taking your kids away term time then do it (mistake with your booking or not), is a few days off really going to damage their education?. No.

 

[cola]

On the positive side, the airfares you got were probably a lot cheaper than if you had booked them for the right dates

3 days is hardly anything. The only issue could be if your dates by mistake are before the term break when there might be some tests or assignments due in, even then she should be able to finish any assignments early, and with such advance notice, maybe even the tests can be sorted out, or she could be so young that tests and assignments don't really impact. As markpsych said, it's a French cultural experience that's got to be worth something, going to the French countryside

 

[janiebubble]

As a teacher I would say that the most important thing to do is communicate ... what annoys us are the parents who don't inform us, keep the child off and magically expect us to provide catch up work with no notice. Let them know well in advance, make sure your child completes any work they ask you to do and you'll be fine don't let it spoil your trip!

 

[kelliemc04]

Thank you, I feel so much better after reading all your lovely replies. On the plus side DD is only 6 and the 3 days fall straight after the half term (I was a week out with my dates ) so doubt she'd be missing much. DLP have said they would change the dates for free (how great are DLP) but change of flights was going to cost £560 in admin fees :scared1 even though there was no difference in the actual flight price! After speaking to them so quickly after booking they said they would be willing to waive these but I'd lose my online discount and would still end up costing £200!!
I'll speak to the teacher, she is lovely and DD has very good attendance so I'm sure it will be fine.
Might get excited now.
Thanks again, Kellie

 

[kizzabel]

I think the fact that holiday companies etc charge premium prices within the school holiday period is wrong. If you can save yourself money by taking your kids away term time then do it (mistake with your booking or not), is a few days off really going to damage their education?. No.

I agree, so long as theres provisions for catching up on missed work.

We took the kids out of school routinely over the years for their annual French cultural experience at DLP!

They've all survived

Ahahaha I am robbing that excuse for DDs 5 days she'll miss in November. I am not a conscientious (sp?) parent and just booked the dates I wanted (just 2 days after her birthday). Im bad, I know... But then I got the holiday dates from the school and shes on midterm the week beforehand I do feel bad now but also Im not looking forward to trying to get organised when she'll be under my feet for the week before we go as this is a surprise trip

As a teacher I would say that the most important thing to do is communicate ... what annoys us are the parents who don't inform us, keep the child off and magically expect us to provide catch up work with no notice. Let them know well in advance, make sure your child completes any work they ask you to do and you'll be fine don't let it spoil your trip!

Agreed. Theres a bit of chopping and changing in DDs school at the min and shes had 3 teachers last year (her 1st year) and this year was meant to have one teacher but now has a different one, on a temporary basis until they've gotten organised and shuffled them around so I'm even more anxious about taking her out for 5 days with the added upheaval of having a couple of teacher changes again. But like Janiebubble said whats done is done and I wont let it spoil things

 

[numbersix]

If losing 3 days of school was so vital to a child's education, the schools would not have so many Inset Days. The objections to taking children out of school have more to do with attendance leagues than they do impact on education.
Saying that, I agree with the teacher's words on communication, I am a Scout Leader, and it is infuriating when kids don't show up and you haven't been informed.
Go to school, 'fess up and I'm sure it won't be a problem. You could even agree to getting DD do some sort of DLP based French project for the class as 'punishment'!!

 

[MazdaUK]

How about getting DD to look out for the French words and finding the English equivalent (for example get a French and English park map) plus learn a few phrases to demonstrate how very cultural it is! You might even find CMs will give you copies of French and English menus.

My kids are very good at Dutch - as long as its on a menu

 

[hildasmuriel]

You are allowed to take your kids out of school for ten days of every school year.

A lot of people think this, but it is not actually correct. Ten days is the MAXIMUM a Head is expected to allow but it is entirely discretionary. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_4016103 gives advice to parents and says "While absence may be granted for a holiday during term time, it is entirely the school’s decision and is not a parental right."

My daughter's school, for example says 'any parent may apply for holidays but the school will not grant them during exam years - i.e Years 7, 8 , 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13'. Those are the only years in the school!