School - Not sure what to do

[Ang1e]

We booked our October trip last year in May. At the time DS's school was still allowing 10 days holiday leave.

Since then it has been stopped.

We booked to go in Oct because it's the only time that DH can get 2 weeks leave from work that tie in with the school holidays. I have written to the head to explain this and just received a standard 'no leave being permitted' note pp'd by the deputy head. I've written back explaining my disappointment but that we would be going ahead regardless - haven't had a reply to this letter.

A letter was sent home with all the children yesterday to remind parents that no holidays would be authorised from April 2006.

I do see both sides of the arguement for taking/not taking children out of school so don't really want to get into all that.

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas where I take it from here.

I've priced up going for a week next Easter - about the same price and obviously will be busier....and do I really want to go for a week? We've been for a week before - it was our 1st trip with the children and we just wanted to do Disney so it was fine but we like to do more now.

Sorry for waffling... just wanted to share!

 

[AlanUK]

Please dont let this thread turn into a discussion on the rights and wrongs of taking children out of school

Thank you

 

[wideeyes]

Only you can decide what to do..

 

[kristieuk]

IMHO, you booked in good faith, in accordance with school policy at the time. I don't blame you for planning to go anyway.

They are your children, and you are entitled to do what you believe is right for you all as a family. I think that particularly as you have already booked, the school should accept and appreciate that. If they don't then, so be it - in 10 or 15 years time when you children go to apply for university or jobs, is it really going to make any difference?

It is your decision, but I just wanted to let you know I would go if I was you.

As an aside, dd's school has been closed for 5 separate days this school year outside the normal holidays - 4 teacher training days and 1 last week for the local government strike - seems it's all ok when the school calls the shots!

 

[Giddy Kipper]

If it was me I would go and make and make an appointment to see the head in person...explaining your situation that you have already booked and a long time ago at that...when the rules were different. Saying that we went last Oct and my girls missed 5 days of school, I dont think I would do it again as the guilt was too much.

 

[dor1]

Ive been twice in october and mixed the school hols with the kids having a week off.
Obviously its up to you but i think kids can benefit from travel and seeing different things and places.
October is also a fab time to go.

 

[jna]

IMHO, you booked in good faith, in accordance with school policy at the time. I don't blame you for planning to go anyway.

They are your children, and you are entitled to do what you believe is right for you all as a family. I think that particularly as you have already booked, the school should accept and appreciate that. If they don't then, so be it - in 10 or 15 years time when you children go to apply for university or jobs, is it really going to make any difference?

We are likely to have to take this view on board as I suspect that we are in for a bit of the same. A request for 'official absence' was lodged in February. After waiting a month for a reply were told we had to wait until the summer term for a decision as the school thought new rules were on the way.

Travelling to the U.S.A. and in particular Orlando/WDW is not something you think about today and do tomorrow. The vacation takes planning (look at the people on this forum already asking questions about October 2007 and even early 2008), and in many instances a long-term financial committment.

If schools want to stop mid-term leave, then so be it, but notice must be given to the parents perhaps up to a year in advance in order that they can plan to suit. Those who can provide evidence they booked under the old rules can carry on with their holiday - similar to the way that Virgin appear to be honouring the higher baggage weight for those already booked before a certain date.

Should the education authorities act to cease holiday absence it will be interesting to see how the holiday companies react. Our school holiday periods are already far more expensive than term times for obvious reasons, and I have no doubt that they will see the opportunity to inflate prices further.

 

[mark&sue]

Thanks for posting this.

We have done the exact same thing. We have booked an extra week tagged on to half term in October and we are going with two other families, and booked a year ago.

A newsletter at DDs school was sent out last week saying no holidays in term times no exception

I have written to the headmistress of my DDs school and explained that we booked a long time ago and pointed out the policy of taking into account other absences and times in the year, as DD has not been sick.

I waffled on for ages about getting time off work and how it would never happen again as my boss has finally agreed to one member of staff taking the first two weeks of the summer holidays, she taking the next two weeks and I will get the last two weeks of August. I also went on that I was under the impression our borough was getting two weeks in October, which is now not the case.

I also mentioned it had nothing to do with price as our flights were still really expensive and our DVC points are the same in October as in August.

I await a reply, but am not hopeful after hearing yours and other experiences. If we get fixed penanty fines we will have pay £700 which I can live with but my problem is DH does not think we should pay. He never went to school past the age of 14 and can't understand what all the fuss is about over a few days. I don't want to go to prison so perhaps I will pay without him knowing!!!

On a final note, I was just thinking if no one takes their children out of school anymore it will be very hard to actually get a flight during the summer holidays or Easter let alone worry about the prices of them.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck any one else in this situation.



Susan

 

[kristieuk]

It is an intriguing question - if all school children take their annual holidays during term time only with not one single day off school, there simply would not be enough flights to go around! It's bad enough now.

I found this page which could be of interest to those of you tkaing children out of school for less than 10 days - it seems that the school is only required to notify the LEA of 10 days unauthorised absence or more unless there are other reasons for concern (and I think we all on the basis that if we were otherwise at all concerned about the progress or attendance of our children, we wouldn't dream of taking them out of school for holidays).

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/atoz/a/attendanceandabsence/

It also says it is up to individual schools to implement their own policy, so I wonder what the reason is for the apparent sudden change of heart by many schools?

 

[mark&sue]

The newsletter at my DDs school said it was that the whole borough were going to get tough. IMHO they can't get their truancy figures down so are picking on middle class families who are only asking for a few days (in my case seven but obviously seven too much), to get their target figures down.

I don't want to start one of these threads but my DD has only had two days off sick in 8 years (one day was an operation for an in-growing toe nail which could not be done during the next school holiday as we were in DLP!)

My boss told me to say my DD was off sick. I would rather pay £700 than teach my child to lie and be off work/school sick. No wonder we have a culture in this country to take time off sick as it seems more acceptable to take time off sick than go on a well earned holiday. We work hard in our family and like to play hard.

Really sorry to go on today but have now broken my rule not to enter one of these threads. Please ignore me I will be better tomorrow but Barnet lost 2-1 and could be relegated. (sorry poor excuse I know!)



Susan

 

[angel659]

Hi

We havent received any letters yet, but we did have a reminder letter to try and book holidays within the school holidays. We will be taking Casey out for 1 week in March next yr.

I would speak to the head teacher and explain that you have already booked the holiday, unless the school wants to pay the charges so you can move your holiday you will take your child out in October. If they change the rules they need to give more notice to parents. I think you are within your rights to complain to him. Its wrong.

Good luck and have a great time. October is a fantastic time to go.

 

[Lisash]

As you booked in good faith I would think it is only fair that the school honour it. We've all heard a lot about schools 'fining' parents who take children out of school but I've yet to hear about anyone actually being fined. I wonder if this is actually possible or even legal and what do they do if somebody doesn't pay?

 

[mark&sue]

I thought that it would be like not paying Council tax and you could go to prison.

I am really finding this thread a real support as I have been so worried. I could not move this holiday as we have two other families coming with us. I do not want to scare my best friend ( of 26 years) as she has two children but they are in primary school so hopefully more understanding.

My best friend and I were so excited as we will be away for our children's birthday which are both on the same day and will book whispering canyon and a cake and balloons. I know that she would not be able to afford the fine and we are letting them have the accommodation at our DVC for free. She was not keen on August because of the hurricanes and I feel so guilty as we told her October was one of the best times to go. I really do not want this to spoil our holiday.

Thanks again everyone.


Susan

 

[kimmy kay]

I plan on taking my kids out of school for 7 days in March of 2007. In 2005 we asked permission for 10 days. My one son was in first grade and his was Ok'd and my other son was in 9th grade his was approved for only 5 days. The pricipal said that is all he could take but we could do what we wanted. My husband is laid off all winter so we go in March. He does not get vacation time so this is the only time we can go.

 

[Lindy Loo]

I reallly really feel for you.... a big hug and a huge sprinkle of pixie dust . We havent really entered into this problem yet as DD starts school in Sep. We go on 3 weeks hols in Oct ( I beleive 1 week might be half term? ) We go 7th to 28th Oct. We hadnt even THGOUGHT the school would say no. In fact we only found out last week which school she was going to. Im wondering if I should tell them now, or in Sep?? Either way we are going. Its been planned for over a year. We have even planned Oct 2007.... ouch im a bad Mum....!!! LOL.
I beleive as parents you should have the right to a family holiday when you choose, either cos of family, job or other comitmments. Thats freedom of choice. I understand and velieve that travel can give a child a different education/ experience to schooling. As long as they arent behind with their school work, I would definately take them. I had alot of hollidays when I was younger, always 3 weeks out of school. I enjoyed quality time with de stressed parents. I still got a degree,hold now a good job etc. Go on holiday and enjoy........... lifes too short.

 

[heatherbelle]

If it were me, I'd write a letter to the school, saying you are going and enclose a copy of your booking to show it was booked prior to them changing the rules.

Personally, I'm taking me DS out of school for 12 days in October. I spoke to a friend who is a teacher, and asked would I be better asking for 10 days and then phoning in for 2 days saying he was ill, after his holiday, or just asking for 12.

She said the head would give 12, as they would be authorised absences, and it looks better for the school stats. After all that's all these absences relate to.

We have not had letters in W Yorkshire from schools talking about fines though. Saying that I have some friends that take their children out of school for 6 weeks to go and visit their families abroad, maybe because we have a diverse culture around here, then that's why we don't have fines.

 

[Ang1e]

Thanks for the replies. I know ultimately the final decision is ours to make. I guess I just wanted to 'talk' to someone.

I've been feeling so stressed about it today!

I did send a copy of the booking form in with my first letter. Think I will call the head on Monday and take it from there.

We've taken the children out of school for a week on 3 previous trips and if I'm honest I'd have to say that their work has never suffered - they are both in the top few of their years and in Sats have always achieved the highest grades. In fact it's probably a bit worrying that they don't seem to miss much in a week - but I guess that's another thread of it's own

Ang

 

[wideeyes]

Thanks for the replies. I know ultimately the final decision is ours to make. I guess I just wanted to 'talk' to someone.

Ang

That's just it! whatever decision you make you need to feel OK with and weigh out the pros vs cons..my daughter starts school this year so I understand the pressure. She will miss 3 days of school due to holidays though she will see things she will never be able to learn at school such as wildlife. she will be able to see whales in there natural habitat.. when she is ever going to be able to do that in school?

 

[rpbert1]

i work as a building supervisor in my DD school and we will be stopping a week prior to the school stopping for our trip to Orlando.
i obviously asked the boss about this and it wasnt a problem, before i started working in the school i had holidays outside school holidays and asked as i knew it was not encouraged if it was ok, has never been a problem, and now i know other families this year have took children out of school for holidays, they make an appointment with the head and ask him if it was ok, he has told me personally that while they dont like it they really have no power to stop it, he tells them that they dont condone it but its down to them.
he also realises that not everyone is in a priveledged position to pay over the odds for holidays during school holidays, and that some have to try and get their holidays when it can work out alot cheaper ie during school term.

 

[SammieG]

If you got written permission from the school to take the children out, then I dont think they will have a leg to stand on.

If you didnt get written permission, I suspect that they will stand firm on this as ultimately I suspect the schools will be in trouble if they do not adhere to this new ruling.
Whilst, I have in the past made my views very clear over this matter (and taken the flack for it!) - even I think its unfair if you got permission from them beforehand if they then go back on their word.

I hope you get it sorted. Can you not go for two weeks at easter? Or how about August time?