School now banning all "out of term" holiday leave

[pandv_2000]

I so agree Debbie I have written to the school each time, explaining the situation, and giving our dates. I have received the 'fine' letter, and have always challenged it. It makes me laugh because after having told them our dates, do they expect me to say "sorry, OK we won't go" Yeh, right!!
I always feel it is better to be honest. I have friends who say they would NEVER take their children out for a holiday; but then think it's ok to take the odd Friday/Monday when they are away for a weekend, or if the kids haven't got an inset day, and they want to get away early before the school hols begin. They always phone the kids in sick/doctors/dentist app; but hey! That's ok! All those odd days add up aswell!
Another thing, (I know this is a bit off topic), but has anyone else with more than 2 children noticed the huge hike in prices an extra(or more) child makes?
We looked at going to Europe, but to be honest, the difference in prices, compared to going to Florida, didn't make it worth the compromise.

Jules x

Argh don't tell me that - with baby number 2 on the way I don't want to know hols will be ridiculously more expensive!

 

[joolz1910]

Argh don't tell me that - with baby number 2 on the way I don't want to know hols will be ridiculously more expensive!

Try having 3 kids - no standard hotel accommodation for us, just this message:

Unfortunately this hotel does not have individual rooms big enough to accommodate your whole party.

A studio (sleeps 4) is £1000 cheaper than a 2 bed.

 

[2Tiggies]

Try having 3 kids - no standard hotel accommodation for us, just this message:

Unfortunately this hotel does not have individual rooms big enough to accommodate your whole party.

A studio (sleeps 4) is £1000 cheaper than a 2 bed.

I feel your frustration - similar challenge on the other end of the spectrum: Single mum with one child. Child pays a full fare paying adult price on everything! Last year's Disney package was cheaper to take her as an adult than to pay the child price and single occupancy supplements I understand why they do it but really ...... And yes, a few years ago I did excitedly flip through VH new brochure which boasted single parent hotels with no supplements. Well they were far from my choice of accommodation preferences, way out of the way, said you had to have a car and ,.... they assumed you had at least 2 or 3 kids! I guess nobody can cater for absolutely everyone.

 

[melly]

As said before too, do not ask your child's teacher for extra work, as 1). The child will not really be in any fit state to concentrate on school work and 2). Why should the teacher mark it, when it is additional work for them?
)

because its their job to. It also has not created any extra work for the teacher since they are only marking what they would anyway just aweek or so later. In addiction i fail to see the big deal in marking an 8yr olds simple maths. Its not as if we are talking about evaluating a pHD thesis

 

[Pegasus928]

because its their job to. It also has not created any extra work for the teacher since they are only marking what they would anyway just aweek or so later. In addiction i fail to see the big deal in marking an 8yr olds simple maths. Its not as if we are talking about evaluating a pHD thesis

Have you never watched 'Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old'

 

[joolz1910]

because its their job to. It also has not created any extra work for the teacher since they are only marking what they would anyway just aweek or so later. In addiction i fail to see the big deal in marking an 8yr olds simple maths. Its not as if we are talking about evaluating a pHD thesis

It must be a long time since you were at school. Have you seen the Maths 8 year old kids do?

It's not my job to provide individual tuition for a child if the parents take them on holiday, and unfortunately that's what some parents expect. Like you say, it's not a huge deal to hand out a few simple worksheets but most teaching is far more complicated than that. There is group work, practical work, ongoing assessment, licensed assessment software, performance-based assessment etc - none of these would be easy to complete at home or individually.

 

[UKDEB]

I'm sure most parents neither want nor expect teachers to set and mark extra-curricular work. Many years ago this is precisely what was suggested by the education establishment, though, and I'd say such requests are driven by a desire to appear responsible in the face of growing disapproval.

 

[joolz1910]

I'm sure most parents neither want nor expect teachers to set and mark extra-curricular work. Many years ago this is precisely what was suggested by the education establishment, though, and I'd say such requests are driven by a desire to appear responsible in the face of growing disapproval.

I agree. I would never ask my children's teachers to set them extra work, neither would I want them to be doing Maths on holiday.

 

[melly]

It must be a long time since you were at school. Have you seen the Maths 8 year old kids do?

It's not my job to provide individual tuition for a child if the parents take them on holiday, and unfortunately that's what some parents expect. Like you say, it's not a huge deal to hand out a few simple worksheets but most teaching is far more complicated than that. There is group work, practical work, ongoing assessment, licensed assessment software, performance-based assessment etc - none of these would be easy to complete at home or individually.

My eldest is 9. Seen his maths it isn't that hard for an adult to see if its right or wrong.

As for the individual tuition I'm not sure that many parents would want that. Simply the work that can be taught by a parent could be handed over with ease. Marking this is simply marking the same work a week later and requires no more total work.

Another myth that appears to be perpetuated by teachers is that they have a huge task in preparing additional material for them. Its as if because my child goes on holiday they now have to create a whole new sylabus for him including teaching him schrodingers wave equation. Back on planet earth this just isn't true and all he needs is reprints of the work he has missed.

People may think I'm having a swipe at teachers but I'm not. I genuinely think that although taking you kid on holiday has at least some negative effect, this effect is grossly over-exaggerated as too is the inconvenience to the teacher. At the same time the positive benefit of the holiday is under estimated

 

[joolz1910]

I genuinely think that although taking you kid on holiday has at least some negative effect, this effect is grossly over-exaggerated as too is the inconvenience to the teacher. At the same time the positive benefit of the holiday is under estimated

Couldn't agree more.

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Another myth that appears to be perpetuated by teachers is that they have a huge task in preparing additional material for them. Its as if because my child goes on holiday they now have to create a whole new sylabus for him including teaching him schrodingers wave equation. Back on planet earth this just isn't true and all he needs is reprints of the work he has missed.

This is quite insulting, i'm afraid to say. If teaching was as easy as photocopying worksheets out of a book, then let's forget teacher training, forget the professional status and standing, forget the degree.... Also, it's not as easy to just pick it up weeks later, plus that child MAY have missed out on new concepts that also need to be caught up on - this is harder than it seems as the teacher is now trying to catch your child up, and the rest of the class are not being taught as quickly as they would have been.

The work most teachers will set for children who go on holiday will be work which requires no additional knowledge and work that can be completed without any input from the teacher or parent, hence why "you" see a page of sums. This is not the reality of a well taught class and learning experience.

If I were able to take my child out of class and take him to Disney, I would not be doing school work with him - when on a Disney Holiday would you find the time?

In relation to Deb's earlier comment - and I'm a Headteacher - it is not a right to take your child out of school. If you take your child out of school without the HT's permission, it is illegal and, whilst unlikely, you could be risking prosecution. I approve holidays as long as attendance is good and it is not likely to affect the educational progress of the child. I have gotten my hand slapped by the LEA for doing this when the attendance is below 95%!!! I have also prosecuted (not me personally you know) one family for persistently saying "I couldn't do anything". So, please respect the school and HT by requesting permission.

Also, in relation to an earlier posting: School's don't have to listen to the LEA. School's "buy-in" to all LEA services, including adviser, legal, attendance, payroll etc. but they don't have to. A school's Governing Body is responsible for the policy in school.

You should see school as a job - would you just walk out on your job for two weeks without permission. No you wouldn't.

Sorry for garbling.

 

[scojos]

You should see school as a job - would you just walk out on your job for two weeks without permission. No you wouldn't.

.

i agree with everything you said, i however wouldnt have termed it as calmly as you, thats why you are a head and me a lowly teacher, not savoir vivre!!

there have many arguments on here, primary is more important than 2ndry, exams and attendance, yes, it has been proved that gcse grades and attendance is directly linked, it has also been proved that learning is not all done in the classroom, and that a holiday can educate and develop skills too.

my question would be - for how many is a trip to wdw a learning curve? did you teach your kids new things? my kids learnt to say hello and thankyou at every country in WS, ok, not massive, but a gesture, we taught them about the food s they were eatiing., and were v impressed by chefs (esp at boma) who explained to them the cultural heritage of the food they ate) they learnt loads of things at Ak... yes, they also rode buzz and shot mommy, its about balance.
i would not send printed sheets home for an absent student to complete during a holiday becuase i doubt they would be completed, thats my prof experience, and whilst im sure someone will state their child would do work sent home, in the schools i have taught in, this has not been the case.
tracy

 

[joolz1910]

The work most teachers will set for children who go on holiday will be work which requires no additional knowledge and work that can be completed without any input from the teacher or parent, hence why "you" see a page of sums. This is not the reality of a well taught class and learning experience.



.

This was the point I tried to make - but you make it more eloquently.

Most parents are completely reasonable (thank goodness) and only want a few 'worksheets'. It's the ones who expect an individually tailored study pack and 'catch-up' sessions when they return - that's not part of my job.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I agree. I would never ask my children's teachers to set them extra work, neither would I want them to be doing Maths on holiday.

Whenever any of my children is absent I just make a little foldder with a copy of each worksheet, extension sheet, homework, learning sheet or office notes inside. I have photocopied it anyway so it is no trouble really. I do this should they be absent through illness, holiday or Monday-itis. But what is interesting is the fact that although I offer to mark it (cannot insist obviously), it rarely comes back. Maybe 1 out of 10.

So I guess that is why I don't mind if conscientious parents take their children out of school. Those children will keep up if the parents are prepared to put the effort in with them.

My daughter was absent for two and a half weeks through illness before Christmas. I worked for an hour or so each night with her and it really helped her keep up. Once she went back we kept up the extra hour until I was happy. Even though she missed those weeks her standardised scores have really improved this year. Going on holiday would have been easier as her health wouldn't be holding her back.

 

[joolz1910]

So I guess that is why I don't mind if conscientious parents take their children out of school. Those children will keep up if the parents are prepared to put the effort in with them.

.

I have 3 children (all different key stages) - I would have to be a super-mum.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Well of course you are.

OT - Look at my 1000 posts YAY!!

 

[scojos]

I have 3 children (all different key stages) - I would have to be a super-mum.

me too honey - unfortunately as soon as teachers know you teach they do expect you to be super mom, i do what i can to help all of my kids, fortunately ds 12 is G&T in several subjects, ds 10 is a different issue he has HFASD, and so behavioural issues are as much a problem as accademic ones...
dd7 is starting to pick up on his asd tendancies, she is v v bright (much more than the eldest in a "non accademi" way, have you watched outnumbered?? thats like my house
but i cant do everything for them, so joolz im with you on this one

 

[joolz1910]

Well of course you are.

OT - Look at my 1000 posts YAY!!

Oh yes, I'd forgotten that I am a super-mom. Silly me.
Congrats on the 1000 posts!

me too honey - unfortunately as soon as teachers know you teach they do expect you to be super mom, i do what i can to help all of my kids, fortunately ds 12 is G&T in several subjects, ds 10 is a different issue he has HFASD, and so behavioural issues are as much a problem as accademic ones...
dd7 is starting to pick up on his asd tendancies, she is v v bright (much more than the eldest in a "non accademi" way, have you watched outnumbered?? thats like my house
but i cant do everything for them, so joolz im with you on this one

Yup, sounds familiar.
I think I have parent-guilt and teacher-guilt, basically I 'could do better'.

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Well of course you are.

OT - Look at my 1000 posts YAY!!

Congratulations!!

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Whenever any of my children is absent I just make a little foldder with a copy of each worksheet, extension sheet, homework, learning sheet or office notes inside. I have photocopied it anyway so it is no trouble really. I do this should they be absent through illness, holiday or Monday-itis. But what is interesting is the fact that although I offer to mark it (cannot insist obviously), it rarely comes back. Maybe 1 out of 10.

This is a really interesting idea! Until I read the return rate that it! At least you are trying!!! Are you Primary?

Scojos - I might want to tap into some of your expertise. We have a HFASD child (in Year 2) who we are really struggling with.....

He he - we did all the language stuff around WS too!!!