school holidays

[louisel]

What do you all think about taking your kids out of school to take holidays with the family? I have to admit that I have done this a bit this school year because the prices on flights etc are so much cheaper and I'm thinking of doing it again next feb (one week half term and 1 week off school) but I'm having guilty feelings and can't make up my mind. We went for a week in feb half term this year but went on the wed to the wed so they only missed three days school. (a week was good but not enough for me!!!)

Louisel

 

[Dimplenose]

I wouldn't take my kids out of school for holidays. I've never done it as I feel that they need to know that nothing is more important than their education. (I do understand why some families take the kids out as the price of holidays can be halved at times.)

It's a good thing that I don't want to take them out as I now work in a school so I can't do it.

( I only went back to work so that we could go back to WDW and now I'm even more tied to school hols. Funny how my once in a lifetime trip just lead to my obsession to get back.)

 

[Goofyish]

We took our two DDs out of school for 5 days last October to go to Florida. At the time they were 8 and 12. Both were doing well at school with no major worries, so we had no problem with taking them out of school. We would think twice if they were struggling or it was a time of year for SATs etc.
Also, with my eldest DD getting nearer to GCSE time, I don't think we could justify her missing time in the future.

I think our DD's got a great deal of educational value from the holiday in Florida, as well as enjoying 2 weeks of being together as a family - which in some respects is more important than education.

 

[Hilary]

I have to agree 100% with Goofyish on this, because I've done exactly the same and have no regrets.

I know this is a difficult topic, and one which is likely to have many differing opinions, but I can only speak for my own circumstances when I say that the valuable family time and wonderful memories we gained on our holidays was 'worth' the extra work involved in catching up on five days of school work missed.

I also know we are very fortunate in having two children who have not struggled with their school work or had a lot of time absent through illness, and that has also been a large factor in our decision to take them out of school.

At the end of the day each family has to decide what is appropriate for them.

 

[kazzie]

I know this is a completely personal choice for each family,as with Hilary and Tim my children miss some time off school when we go to Orlando in October time.They will be missing time off this year too,about 8 days.

I know it isn't ideal but the time spent together as a family is irreplaceable.My eldest won't be going on holiday with us again after this year and I want to remember as this happens with each of them all the brilliant times we had

There are many children who have much more time off from secondary school than my teens through 'illness'

 

[Enright78]

I have also never taken DD out of school for holidays. Partly because I am a teacher and cannot go anyway!
But also, and more seriously, that I feel her education is the most important thing! We have always gone in school holiday time and she got the quality time with us plus the benefits of education.
I suppose it really gets more important at GCSE time, because of coursework deadlines as well as exams. DD always said she would not want to miss school because she would not like the pressure of catching up and learning new stuff at the same time.
Oddly, now I think the most crucial age is the 16 to 19 group. You would think that most of these would not want to go away with mum and dad anymore; I am continually amazed that some go away for as long as 3 weeks just before an exam! The courses as so much pressure for them anyway I cannot see why they do this to themselves. Needless to say, they usually fail.
Earlier in education it might be easier? JMHO

 

[UKDEB]

We have taken our girls out of school for most of our Orlando holidays. Initially it was because we simply could not get time off during school holidays, but recently it is for lower crowds and better weather, not for the cost saving.

I have no doubt that the statistics which tell you that your child will suffer from absence are robust. BUT, I have a k-zillion issues with the education system, schools and individual teachers which I can not influence, so I will not lose sleep over my decision to enjoy family holidays with my children in school time. Life's too short.

I believe we concentrate far too much on telling our children that academic achievement and hard work are the key to getting on in life, and focus not nearly enough on other life skills.

 

[dave&maria]

We also take our DD out of school in Oct and never had a problem with her education (she's 9). I would think twice once she's in high school. I think the weather and crowds are better for small children in October and also feel the importance of quality time for our family. M.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

We're another family who takes DD (9) out of school and have done for the last four years. HOWEVER, each time I have discussed it with Katie's teacher and - because she is an able child - they have never had a problem, in fact most seem to be of the opinion that the experiences learned whilst in different countries are better than a week off school - particularly when we link it to a half term . . . the children are on wind-down that week anway. Of course we wouldn't even think of taking her out when SATS/exams are on.

 

[Debs Hill]

We're lucky that at the moment our son is in nursery, so a few years yet to worry about taking him out of school! Does anyone know what time of year the 7, 11 +14 yr old tests are?

 

[signtalker]

Were off next may for 3 weeks, which means taking DS out of school for 2 weeks, the other week falling at half term, I didnt hesitate, I also work in education myself, and had to take 2 weeks unpaid leave. I cant see why it should be a problem unless they are sitting exams etc.
You only live once and in my mind the memories that the kids bring back from disney outweigh the worries of taking them out of school, My son has multiple disabilites and knowing the joy/planning fun he is having waiting for our next trip next year, puts the worries of school on the back burner, at the end of the day its only 2 weeks, not the rest of their lives.
Be Happy.

Jules

 

[Astrid]

I'm another one who doesn't think twice about taking my two out of school for our trips abroad.

Cost is a major consideration for me as the trips would not be possible if I had to take them in the School holidays when the travel companies send the prices sky high.

I would not take them out near SATS or GCSEs and, like others have said, I feel that my children get a bucketload of 'different' education and also quality family time when we go away which, in my opinion, more than makes up for 2 weeks away from school.

The Schools allow us to take our children out of education for 10 days each year so I feel justified in doing so. However, it is a personal choice and one that has to take into consideration the children involved.

Astrid

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by Astrid
The Schools allow us to take our children out of education for 10 days each year so I feel justified in doing so.
Astrid

I've expressed an opinion on this before, so I won't repeat myself. But I did want to put a slightly different interpretation on Astrid's comment about the 10 days per year. My understanding is that this rule does not entitle a child to 10 days holiday per year, but it provides schools with a sanction if you have more than 10 days unauthorised absence (ie they can take your child off role). In practice it amounts to the same thing, but those regulations were written not to enable out-of-school holidays, but to provide schools with an option if a family withdrew their child for an extended period.

Regards

Rob

 

[JohnW]

UKDeb, I think you are absolutely spot on:-

I believe we concentrate far too much on telling our children that academic achievement and hard work are the key to getting on in life, and focus not nearly enough on other life skills.

We've taken DD out of scholl a few times, usually for a week before half term and will take both DD and DS out this year as DS starts in Sept.

There is so much more to life than acedemia, IMHO.

 

[Wellard Stallard]

I usually take my summer holidays in August so it isn't a problem with the school - however this year we are going for 3 wks in October (incl half term week). I did get permission from the school to take DD out of school for the week b4 and week after half term and they were ok about it. Although I did suggest my daughter has extra work leading up to the holiday and the school and my daughter thought that was a good idea. I like others are going in October because it is a bit cheaper. She doesn't have any exams at that time so I am not too concerned.

TTFN

 

[WDWFOREVER]

I have taken my 8 year old DS out of school every year during term time. We have several reasons, but the most important being that we all suffer with asthma. Going out of season allows us to go when the weather is not quite so ferocious. That helps with breathing.

Our main reason though is that in 1996 my DH had brain surgery. Following 5 years of migraines someone finally decided to do a brain scan and they found 2 aneurysms. He had surgery on one but the other was not considered big enough to do anything with and the risks of surgery outweigh the risk of surgery (and continue to do so at present). However, we do run the risk that it will burst and cause damage. In addition to this health problem, some may have seen a previous post of mine regarding our fertility problems. DS was the 7th attempt at parenthood.

As a result of all this we feel that one of the most important things in our life is making memories as a family. We truly do not know how many years we will share together (do any of us?). We had to compromise last year and go at Easter because DS was doing his Year 2 SATS. We all agreed, never again. DS was ill because the blossom/pollen aggravated his asthma and he ended up with a chest infection. The crowds were horrendous. As much as I love WDW, I will never again go during holiday time. If I can't take him out of school because of SATS or as he gets older and education becomes more intense, I would really rather not go.

 

[yorkshiregirl]

We are lucky in this country having the lee-way of those 10 days which can with permission be used. When we were in France we got talking to the German family in the mobile next door and they were horrified that our daughter 6 at time was missing first 7 days of school in Sept. It is not allowed over there or wasn't.

I have found that now they are both at secondary school they prefer not to go in term-time or only at the very end which is the same price anyway.

I think that under 11 is great and they do learn lots from travel but in later years they can find it hard to catch up.

We are both in further and higher education and so although we can go earlier than school-teachers we still hit the peak prices

Lets also not forget that you don't have to have exspensive holidays for children to have great memories to look back on.Off-peak in Florida is still out of the question for many families.

Goodness I never say this much normally

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Yorkshiregirl: I understand completely what you say about not needing expensive holidays to make memories. We use the summer holidays to take days out together, and sometimes more importantly, days in together.

Trouble is, we are all Disneyholics now! Have considered cheaper options but we know we would all pine for Mickey too much!

 

[jue]

As a family we decided to take a 3 week holiday in October it works well for both mine and dh jobs. It does cover half term so because of that the children will miss 10 days school (dd 14, ds 10 ). It was a difficult choice . But at the end of the day the family comes first. We could not have had 3 weeks off in August due to work, and the children are not taking any exams this year. When we told dd teacher about our planned trip the reponse we got was positive ( she even wants to come ! )