School now banning all "out of term" holiday leave

[tinks_1989]

we dont have children yet! But I'm sorry I do agree with not taking children out of school! When we do have children we won't be taking them out of school!

At all ages I think it is important I think every year of schooling is important it's not just about education its their friendships and personalities that grow when they are at school!

 

[Soprano]

we dont have children yet! But I'm sorry I do agree with not taking children out of school! When we do have children we won't be taking them out of school!

At all ages I think it is important I think every year of schooling is important it's not just about education its their friendships and personalities that grow when they are at school!

What do you think would happen to the children should they miss 10 days in a year due to a family holiday? Obviously, not kids who have exams on upcoming. But would their education suffer? Would friendships be damaged? Would their personalities alter in a negative way? I'm not having a go, I'm honestly interested and just remarking on examples you used.

 

[mark&sue]

a few year's ago we bought a new build property in Spain and had to go over to sign the completion paper work etc but was at the mercy of the builder when it finished. In the end we had to take Kirsy out of school for a few days as the property completed in the middle of term. I was too worried to ask for permission in case they said no so had to say she was sick.

so maybe this is the best way to do it if you want to avoid a fine. Good luck everyone.


susan

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I hear what everybody is saying and in an ideal world it would be great if we could all take our children away in school holidays and not be ripped off by holiday companies. However, we run a family business in a seaside town - we could not possibly be away in school holidays. Is the answer that my daughter doesn't get to have a holiday?

I have managed to swing it with my Dad that I can go the last week in August going into September so it is going to mean my daughter misses the first week of school. She is age 9 and from experience the first week has been settling into their new classroom etc etc. It is not a new school for her so I am hoping she will settle into her new class just fine when we return with hopefully some excellent life experiences she will take with her for the rest of her life. Difficult one!

 

[disney_princess_85]

I'm sorry guys, I agree that children shouldn't be taken out of school for holidays. They have so many weeks off throughout the year, you don't have to choose to go in the height of summer when it's most expensive.

 

[tinks_1989]

What do you think would happen to the children should they miss 10 days in a year due to a family holiday? Obviously, not kids who have exams on upcoming. But would their education suffer? Would friendships be damaged? Would their personalities alter in a negative way? I'm not having a go, I'm honestly interested and just remarking on examples you used.

I don't exactly know how to word this

A colleague of mine has a four year old they aren't aloud to be taken out of school in school time our job we aren't aloud take time off during school holidays he went explained he would like to take his daughter out of school only for 4 days and it was unauthorised and was threatened with a fine but they explained to them that may feel that they have missed out on some thing with their friends birthday parties school trips school plays etc and sounds silly but isolated by some friends leading to them feeling left out

I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but I know of children that are shy and being left out of groups of friend's made them fall back on school work leading to them not wanting them to go in more

I know this isn't going to happen to every child that misses a few days off and may be doesn't seem like a big deal to you but it made me think twice I always thought years where they don't have exam etc aren't as important

I know what you are all saying it can be an educational holiday they can learn from it
but they cant say ok so children going to florida can have time off but parents that cant afford or dont enjoy it cant take their kids to spain for example

 

[fairytale]

Thank you to all who have posted their comments so far, its good to hear all sides which is why I love the Dis-Board so much

To a certain degree the poster whom expressed concerns on how a child would feel upon their return to school after been absent during school term, I do see your point here. Personally I am lucky to have extermely confident children (sometimes too confident) and therefore have never experienced any of them having difficulties returning, if I'm honest the last time our children returned to school from their "authorised" leave, they didnt return till lunchtime and was greeted by all their friends stood at the gates waiting to jump on them upon their return which was lovely to see

Like I previously stated, when our children are in senior school, then the decision has already been made that we will "have" for educational reasons to stick to School Holidays, however, we have a few family members who live in Austria and Switzerland and their children have only just started school and they are my eldest sons age. The strange thing is, having spoken to a number of parents and teachers in these countries, by the age of 12/13 they are working at the same level to our children, although in their opinion they think they excel us in the UK as they see it as their children are ready and more capable to learn from 7/8. It brings back the age long debate of whether or not our UK children start school too early regardless. Our youngest DS4 has already been in full time education since September. We have no optional intakes like in some countys, its very much then or never. He was 4 and 3 weeks when he started, and in my eyes needed his Mummy more than he needed to learn how to read and write, he loves it now mind

Out of interest, has anyone ever received a court summons or just fines ?

 

[scojos]

our lea takes massive steps before issuing fines, i have a girl in my tutor group who has an attendance of 61% since september, which means she attends only 3 days a week, every week.
no fine has been issued, EWO and truancy police, but no fines, no threats etc....)
JFI
tracy

 

[wayneg]

Every child is different, some are off ill a lot, others never have a day off, some can easily catch up some can't, some would learn more from travel than sat in a classroom, others will just sit on a beach.

We took Matt out for 2 week every Oct all thru Junior school and 1st year at High school, his travels have changed him from a shy 5 year old to a very confident 15 year old, head boy of his school and aiming for 15 GCSE's A-C grade(already passed 6 early, 5 As & 1 C)
I believe we were 110% right to take him out and see the world but I would never say its right(or wrong) for another child, they are all individuals with different needs. It has to be a decision between the parents and the school, not a blanket ban.

We were never cautioned, infact his headmistress at Junior school saw the benefits he was getting from our trips and told us off the record she would do exactly the same in our position.

 

[T16GEM]

I'm sorry that you have had this news from the school,

My DD started nursery in September and up until the Christmas holiday took one morning out sick due to vomitting bug. We were authorised for 10 days of holiday during January, and the last 5 days were unauthorised. However, the school was actually closed for 4 out of the 5 unauthorised days due to the snow, laughably I still got a letter from the head mistress regarding her attendance during January! To say I was livid would have been an understatement.

There are children at my DD's nursery who are regularly off sick, just last week I saw a parent being turned away with her DD because she had bought her to school when she had thrown up on the morning - this is totally against the rules, not to mention cruel for her DD and the other kids at nursery. As she was walking back up the road I heard her saying to the woman she was walking with that she had to go to work that morning and how would she go now with her DD at home - glorified baby sitting?

I was worried about how DD would get on when she went back to nursery after being away from her friends for so long, but on her first morning back her 3 little friends were waiting for her and there was a huge group hug! I was so pleased that it was one thing less to worry about!

We will be taking both of our kids out of school for our annual WDW holiday, they learn so much, especially at Epcot and Sea World. Until I notice a detrimental effect on their education, I guess we will keep on getting "the letter" once a year!

 

[Kath2003]

I'm a teacher and the school refused to let me have two weeks off mid-term so that I could save hundreds on my holiday



As if I would ask - I love my job, but the sacrifice is that we HAVE to vacation in the school holidays and pay the premiums. Not exactly much of a sacrifice for having such an awesome career

I hope either way it works out for those who are trying to take their children during term time - obviously I only see the 'educational' perspective but you must do what you feel is best.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I teach a very important year and my children will sit exams in autumn to determine their eligibility for their chosen secondary school.

If one of them goes away I am very worried about them!! I don't want parents coming back and blaming me... so I must admit I will supply (and mark) work if requested!! Although I wish I had the guts not to!!

But for younger children I wouldn't worry so much - and I would probably remove my own DD if I could.

 

[Pegasus928]

We have never had any qualms about taking our children out of school regardless of age. One holiday we had booked - which was based around my shifts at work - was over the time that DS was due to take his sats. The stress he was under leading up to them was immense (DS has aspergers and ADHD) and to be honest I thought that removing him from that environment was the right thing to do at that time. I have still yet to hear a decent argument for the sats tests to the effect that they actually benefit the children. We have friends who are teachers, and have spoken to our childrens teachers about this issue, and all have said how much they dislike them and that they prove nothing.
The way I see the whole issue of taking them out is that it is very easy for a child to miss 10 days a year by just being ill, school shut due to snow (thats a joke - none of the other businesses that are in the same area of the school shut so why the school needed to I don't know), teacher training days and the whole week before they break up when they do next to nothing. So as a result I won't be made to feel guilty, nor held to ransom by the LEA just because I happen to know what is best for my child. (and relax)

 

[T16GEM]

I have still yet to hear a decent argument for the sats tests to the effect that they actually benefit the children. We have friends who are teachers, and have spoken to our childrens teachers about this issue, and all have said how much they dislike them and that they prove nothing.

I heard a teacher at DD's nursery saying just last week that the Sats are more to test the teachers than the children.

 

[scoobydooby]

I don't think taking children out of school is a great idea. I have sympathy with the poster who explained the impact upon the whole class accounting for a range of missing children over time. However, I have taken both of mine out on the last day of term twice for Disney holidays so they get enough time to recover for the new term. I objected to my DS's teacher suggesting it was inappropriate given that particular day was toy day....! Actually, I object to toy day.

 

[disney13]

I'm a teacher and the school refused to let me have two weeks off mid-term so that I could save hundreds on my holiday



As if I would ask - I love my job, but the sacrifice is that we HAVE to vacation in the school holidays and pay the premiums. Not exactly much of a sacrifice for having such an awesome career

I hope either way it works out for those who are trying to take their children during term time - obviously I only see the 'educational' perspective but you must do what you feel is best.

Great thread!

I do agree with Kath on this. How would parents feel if teachers took time off to save themselves money when taking their holidays. One rule for all I say!!

 

[disney_princess_85]

I'm a teacher and the school refused to let me have two weeks off mid-term so that I could save hundreds on my holiday

Exactly.

I do have sympathy with parents because I'm aware that the prices are astronomical in the summer. However, if it's too expensive to go in the summer, maybe try another time of year or go somewhere other than WDW. There are plenty of interesting and educational places in the world that would benefit children.

 

[Cyrano]

Great thread!

I do agree with Kath on this. How would parents feel if teachers took time off to save themselves money when taking their holidays. One rule for all I say!!

I know a teacher who does this and I do not think any less of them

 

[Kath2003]

I know a teacher who does this and I do not think any less of them

Seriously?

Teachers get a LOT of holiday - that is one of the perks of the job (and what keeps us going when we're still marking books at 10pm ) but the compromise is that you don't get to choose your holiday. We work 195 days a year compared to the average 230 - that's thirteen weeks holiday (kids get 14! ) so I'm not about to complain if I have to pay a bit extra to go during the school holidays (and my partner - who chose not to work in education - also has to pay extra, despite being able to jet off whenever he feels like it).

I can't even imagine suggesting to my school that they let us take time off during the term time If we are not there, who teaches the students? Illness is one thing - it's unavoidable - but supply teachers are expensive (and rightly so - they are professionals just like us). The (hypothetical) bill I'd get from the school to cover my absence would FAR outweigh any benefits I'd get by jetting off to Orlando in term time Plus, I do genuinely care about my students' progress and continuity of teaching counts a lot toward that - and I'm sure parents would be simply delighted if their child's teacher went off to WDW in early May to save a few quid - just weeks before their child's GCSE/A Level exams...

I'm happy to set and mark work for absentees for two reasons: firstly, I care about them making good progress, being happy and enjoying their learning; secondly, if I don't set work, they've missed content. Since I don't teach anything the students don't need to know to progress forward in their education, they have to cover the content: so either I set and mark the work whilst they're on holiday or I have to spend time one-to-one with that child later on going over the work they missed. It's also much easier to explain what we did in one lesson if a student is unwell (rarely are children absent from school for more than 2-3 days in my experience), as we recap the previous lesson at the beginning of the next, than it is to explain weeks of content - all of which is cumulative skills/understanding/knowledge - if a student goes off on holiday. So whilst I don't get upset, offended etc. if my students are absent for holidays (as it's nothing to do with me - that's for the headteacher or the LEA to decide), I do try to plan, set & mark work whilst they're away because it is in their interest. I want them to succeed and as a teacher I believe I should do the best I can to help any child achieve their best.

I am childless so I have simply an educational standpoint - the policy setting is not my jurisdiction so I believe that both schools, LEAs and parents must do what they feel is best for the children in their care. If they believe not allowing holiday is the best thing to do for their children, I don't believe they take that decision lightly.

 

[2Tiggies]

Seriously?

Teachers get a LOT of holiday - that is one of the perks of the job (and what keeps us going when we're still marking books at 10pm ) but the compromise is that you don't get to choose your holiday. We work 195 days a year compared to the average 230 - that's thirteen weeks holiday (kids get 14! ) so I'm not about to complain if I have to pay a bit extra to go during the school holidays (and my partner - who chose not to work in education - also has to pay extra, despite being able to jet off whenever he feels like it).

I can't even imagine suggesting to my school that they let us take time off during the term time If we are not there, who teaches the students? Illness is one thing - it's unavoidable - but supply teachers are expensive (and rightly so - they are professionals just like us). The (hypothetical) bill I'd get from the school to cover my absence would FAR outweigh any benefits I'd get by jetting off to Orlando in term time Plus, I do genuinely care about my students' progress and continuity of teaching counts a lot toward that - and I'm sure parents would be simply delighted if their child's teacher went off to WDW in early May to save a few quid - just weeks before their child's GCSE/A Level exams...

I'm happy to set and mark work for absentees for two reasons: firstly, I care about them making good progress, being happy and enjoying their learning; secondly, if I don't set work, they've missed content. Since I don't teach anything the students don't need to know to progress forward in their education, they have to cover the content: so either I set and mark the work whilst they're on holiday or I have to spend time one-to-one with that child later on going over the work they missed. It's also much easier to explain what we did in one lesson if a student is unwell (rarely are children absent from school for more than 2-3 days in my experience), as we recap the previous lesson at the beginning of the next, than it is to explain weeks of content - all of which is cumulative skills/understanding/knowledge - if a student goes off on holiday. So whilst I don't get upset, offended etc. if my students are absent for holidays (as it's nothing to do with me - that's for the headteacher or the LEA to decide), I do try to plan, set & mark work whilst they're away because it is in their interest. I want them to succeed and as a teacher I believe I should do the best I can to help any child achieve their best.

I am childless so I have simply an educational standpoint - the policy setting is not my jurisdiction so I believe that both schools, LEAs and parents must do what they feel is best for the children in their care. If they believe not allowing holiday is the best thing to do for their children, I don't believe they take that decision lightly.

WOW! I bet there are a whole lot of parents wishing you were teaching at their kids' school!!