School now banning all "out of term" holiday leave

[Zeebs]

And?
I just recently took some year 13's to Malaga, and am taking some years 7/8/9's to Lloret De Mar in May? I just don't understand your problem with school trips and how you don't see them as different to simply taking your kid out to go on holiday to WDW.

And as for your comment on 'subsidising the teachers trip' - Do you really think we are getting free holidays out of these trips?

I think my issue with the school trip he mentioned to France is that really how much about France can you learn at Disneyland Paris????? (I love Disney and had a fab trip there) but come on it isn't really learning all about France is it?

I have no issues with kids taking an educational visit, but while they are working on their Spanish what is happening with their English Maths etc. It just seems to be a contridiction in terms. You can take 5 days and go away with the school and miss all your other classes but you can't take 5 days to go away with you family.

Kirsten

 

[wideeyes]

And?
I just recently took some year 13's to Malaga, and am taking some years 7/8/9's to Lloret De Mar in May? I just don't understand your problem with school trips and how you don't see them as different to simply taking your kid out to go on holiday to WDW.

aw, I did GCSE Spanish at school and we didn't get any trips to Spain, however those that did French & German got trips, apparently Spain was to expensive.

 

[2Tiggies]

I was a much better parent without children

Kirsten

That makes two of us then. I was convinced I was gonna do it better than everyone else. If you could only see me now ...... I do my utmost to avoid conversations that my raise the terms of any of my pre-child proclamations.

 

[tttessa]

I was a much better parent without children

Kirsten

oooohhh me too!! I wasn't EVER going to take them out, or let them go to school with a cold or buy "trendy" school shoes. This is the year I break all 3!!! Hey ho.... do I feel guilty - OH YES....

October half term we are tacking on 6 days. Weather/heat/pollen not cost - have you seen how high flight prices are in October!!

We are ultimately responsible for our girls' education. Schooling is a big part of that and we do not take them out lightly. They are Primary Y3 and 4 and this will be the only year we feel comfortable doing it. (well as comfortable as you can with the guilts...)

 

[alibeau]

I was a much better parent without children

Kirsten

Love it

We have taken our girls (6 & 4) out of school twice now and have to admit that I do feel a tad guilty, especially on the occasion when it was for the full (authorised) 10 days but not enough for it to stop me!

The girls' teacher and head were fine about us taking them out of school and did provide extra reading books at my request, so nothing that needed marking as such but just i just wanted them to keep up with things....

We are lucky in that our girls are bright, sociable and rarely off ill and when they returned to school their classmates were hugging them at the school gate as they had been missed Whilst away on our last trip in Feb we did a number of 'activites' that were out of this world with regard to the girls learning. Our eldest was amazed at KSC and having recently done a project in school on space, her classmates were thrilled when our DD showed postcards of KSC and answered some of their questions - priceless. And yes, you could argue that she would gain the same expereince if we went in the school holidays but that was not an option for us as we run our own business.

If I felt that they were suffering at school from taking them out in term time, I would not even consider it and will also have a re-think as they get older but for now family time trumps everything in my book and whilst the girls continue to do well at school, we will go on holidays whenever we can regardless of whether it is in term time or not

Each to their own

Ali

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

And?
I just recently took some year 13's to Malaga, and am taking some years 7/8/9's to Lloret De Mar in May? I just don't understand your problem with school trips and how you don't see them as different to simply taking your kid out to go on holiday to WDW.

And as for your comment on 'subsidising the teachers trip' - Do you really think we are getting free holidays out of these trips?

Lloret De Mar/Fuengirola there is no difference, they are more hotbeds of British culture than Spanish and Eurodisney is as French as Officer Crabtree from 'Allo 'Allo. The school feeds these trips as an educational experience when in reality they aren't really, are they?

If I told the school I was taking my kids to Lloret de Mar for a holiday and it was purely educational they'd laugh me out of the school.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I think my issue with the school trip he mentioned to France is that really how much about France can you learn at Disneyland Paris????? (I love Disney and had a fab trip there) but come on it isn't really learning all about France is it?

I have no issues with kids taking an educational visit, but while they are working on their Spanish what is happening with their English Maths etc. It just seems to be a contridiction in terms. You can take 5 days and go away with the school and miss all your other classes but you can't take 5 days to go away with you family.

Kirsten

That's my take on it.

 

[jen_uk]

it didn't go anywhere else. I refused to pay the large amount of money the school wanted for this trip (we have to subsidise the teachers' trip and cover the insurance costs in case one of the school chavs decides to put a claim in for cutting a finger don't forget)
.

Taking kids on trips is not a free holiday for the teachers! You can't relax at all and if something were to go wrong you can guarantee the teachers will get the blame straight away!

 

[Debwid]

I am planning to go next May (fly on 26th) when DD will be in Yr 2. I spoke to the head on Friday to check and she was perfectly happy and understanding. She wasn't concerned at all and said that such holidays are part of learning. I do have to fill in an application form and they are scored. If you are under the threshold it is approved, if not then it is turned down. Schools don't have a choice in this. The reality though is that the fine you get, if one comes your way, is less than what you saved so still worth it - headteachers opinion! I'll just have to hope DD doesn't get ill next year.

The response would have been different if DD was yr6 as May / June is SATS time under exam conditions. YR2 Sats aren't the same.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Love it

We have taken our girls (6 & 4) out of school twice now and have to admit that I do feel a tad guilty, especially on the occasion when it was for the full (authorised) 10 days but not enough for it to stop me!

The girls' teacher and head were fine about us taking them out of school and did provide extra reading books at my request, so nothing that needed marking as such but just i just wanted them to keep up with things....

We are lucky in that our girls are bright, sociable and rarely off ill and when they returned to school their classmates were hugging them at the school gate as they had been missed Whilst away on our last trip in Feb we did a number of 'activites' that were out of this world with regard to the girls learning. Our eldest was amazed at KSC and having recently done a project in school on space, her classmates were thrilled when our DD showed postcards of KSC and answered some of their questions - priceless. And yes, you could argue that she would gain the same expereince if we went in the school holidays but that was not an option for us as we run our own business.

If I felt that they were suffering at school from taking them out in term time, I would not even consider it and will also have a re-think as they get older but for now family time trumps everything in my book and whilst the girls continue to do well at school, we will go on holidays whenever we can regardless of whether it is in term time or not

Each to their own

Ali

Well said! Family time is just as important!

 

[pandv_2000]

Hmmm Ds is currently in Y2 and so far we have taken him out of school twice for 1 day so we could go away for half term. This year I am pregnant with baby no 2 so the summer is not an option for us (baby is due 22 July). We are going for 16 nights in October and will be taking DS out of school for 7 days. I feel really guilty about it but if I don't do it DS won't get a holiday this year. I normally wouldn't but mainly because the extra I would pay for childcare during the school holidays would offset the cost savings from booking outside if school holidays.

 

[crazysitch]

what about people who have no choice as there holidays and are set and the company wont like you change them and the school wont let you take your child out of school :/
i think the best possible solution is to pretend he/she is sick
does anybody have any other solution

​

 

[2Tiggies]

what about people who have no choice as there holidays and are set and the company wont like you change them and the school wont let you take your child out of school :/
i think the best possible solution is to pretend he/she is sick
does anybody have any other solution

​

I cant speak for other schools, but ours accept that this is sometimes the case and will actually authorise it if you can provide vouching to back up your reasoning. I think the schools are a lot more flexible than they get credit for. Sadly though, there are those who, not necessarily going on holiday, take their kids out/keep them off at will and disrupt learning. I must admit, I woudl be the first to shout if my child wasn't getting the input she should because the teacher was private tutoring kids whose parents didn't see the importance of being in school every day.

By the way, I am not a teacher.

 

[tinks_1989]

The only problem is that life throws so many curve balls at you and often, once the children come along, all those "I will always" and "I will never" statements go flying out the window

I am sure things and my opinions will change I would love to have kids a lot of my friends are older then me (I started work full time when I left school at 15 all of my friends are at least 5 years older and I have matured much quicker then most 20 year old's) they all already have kids makes me very broody

but I think me and Dave won't be able to afford holiday's after we have kids (that's why we are doing what we want now when we can!)(I'll just have to live the dream through all of your TR's)

I just don't think taking them out of school will be a problem with us because we just won't be able to afford it!

However I would give up all holidays for a family

 

[Kath2003]

I refused to pay the large amount of money the school wanted for this trip (we have to subsidise the teachers' trip and cover the insurance costs in case one of the school chavs decides to put a claim in for cutting a finger don't forget)

I shall remember that I'm get a "subsidised trip" next time I go on a school trip and am responsible for the care and safety of your children. We are paid to work during the hours of the school day (plus planning, marking and assessing outside of this time), not the 24-hours a day school trips demand with virtual parental responsibility for your child - it is the most stressful thing to do as a teacher and trust me - no one sees it as a subsidised holiday.

You must do what you feel is best with regard to taking your child out of school for holidays - and the school must do what they think is best for their students - however I do object to it being suggested that teachers are getting a "free ride" on school trips during which we are constantly at work and going above and beyond our job requirements.

 

[2Tiggies]

I am sure things and my opinions will change I would love to have kids a lot of my friends are older then me (I started work full time when I left school at 15 all of my friends are at least 5 years older and I have matured much quicker then most 20 year old's) they all already have kids makes me very broody

but I think me and Dave won't be able to afford holiday's after we have kids (that's why we are doing what we want now when we can!)(I'll just have to live the dream through all of your TR's)

I just don't think taking them out of school will be a problem with us because we just won't be able to afford it!

What I should have added is that with the curve balls come good surprises too! Once you have kids a lot of what you want changes too so things you think you will miss because you like them now, won't necessarily appeal to you in 5 years time. That is true for the most part for anyone, and not just in relation to having children (or not).

Kids aren't that expensive initially. I always said, once I had had the baby and all the initial costs were out of the way, the next few years were not expensive. So holidays are not out of the question initially. The biggest expenses were because I wanted to buy nice clothing, etc for her the I liked, not necessarily that she needed. But they don't eat much and honestly, taking a small child to Disney is not going to make much difference to going as a couple. Especially in the first three years (when they eat, stay and play free). I think you are right to do what you can now, but all it means is that you will have no regrets; not that you won't have some of the things you do now - it's just constant adjustment and learning to adapt things to suit you! For now, enjoy it. For later, new things to look forward to.

 

[Zeebs]

What I should have added is that with the curve balls come good surprises too! Once you have kids a lot of what you want changes too so things you think you will miss because you like them now, won't necessarily appeal to you in 5 years time. That is true for the most part for anyone, and not just in relation to having children (or not).

Kids aren't that expensive initially. I always said, once I had had the baby and all the initial costs were out of the way, the next few years were not expensive. So holidays are not out of the question initially. The biggest expenses were because I wanted to buy nice clothing, etc for her the I liked, not necessarily that she needed. But they don't eat much and honestly, taking a small child to Disney is not going to make much difference to going as a couple. Especially in the first three years (when they eat, stay and play free). I think you are right to do what you can now, but all it means is that you will have no regrets; not that you won't have some of the things you do now - it's just constant adjustment and learning to adapt things to suit you! For now, enjoy it. For later, new things to look forward to.

Can I add that what makes kids expensive is the money you fork out to put batteries in EVERY single blasted toy they own.

£180,000 to raise a child apparently from birth to 18. 80% of that is batteries.



Kirsten

 

[mickeyforpresident]

This is such an interesting thread!

I can see both sides of the argument, but I thought it might be worth outlining a few things. Headteacher's can authorise upto 10 days holiday in any school year at their discretion. In my school I authorise this if the child's attendance is satisfactory and the child is making satisfactory progress. This rule only applies to children in Year 1 and above, so the previous posters who have had trouble with Nursery and Reception children shouldn't have - the HT cannot legally enforce this. Unfortuneatly, this is a little but like a postcode lottery depending on how some HT works within their guidelines. As parents, you have a LEGAL responsibility to ensure your child attends school. If a child clocks up 12 unuthorised holidays in a year, the HT can ask the LEA to prosecute you. This starts with a fine (reduced to £50, if paid quickly). No big deal I guess. Failure to pay, or persist the absence can lead you to court. The worst case scenario, although rarely done, is that parents can be prosecuted and could face imprisonment for taking your child out of school without permission. It is technically illegal.

Parents have to be informed of INSET DAYS at least a year in advance - so they shouldn't just be thrown in; and there should only be 5 in a normal school year. This leaves 175 days for family holidays.

The PP who's teacher had two weeks off in term time: there is no mechanism for teachers to do this, so the leave would have been without pay.

Do schools still do toy days? - Not at my school!! Everyday is learning day (there's only 190 in a year, y'know).

Teaching is hard and it's even more tricky when children are off!

I'm sure that there are advantages to taking children off in term time - but not all children.

 

[wayneg]

£180,000 to raise a child apparently from birth to 18.

Kirsten

Matt is only 15 and I think I have spent close to that on his 50+ trips abroad before we start with clothes, food......
They cost a fortune from being born.

 

[pandv_2000]

What I should have added is that with the curve balls come good surprises too! Once you have kids a lot of what you want changes too so things you think you will miss because you like them now, won't necessarily appeal to you in 5 years time. That is true for the most part for anyone, and not just in relation to having children (or not).

Kids aren't that expensive initially. I always said, once I had had the baby and all the initial costs were out of the way, the next few years were not expensive. So holidays are not out of the question initially. The biggest expenses were because I wanted to buy nice clothing, etc for her the I liked, not necessarily that she needed. But they don't eat much and honestly, taking a small child to Disney is not going to make much difference to going as a couple. Especially in the first three years (when they eat, stay and play free). I think you are right to do what you can now, but all it means is that you will have no regrets; not that you won't have some of the things you do now - it's just constant adjustment and learning to adapt things to suit you! For now, enjoy it. For later, new things to look forward to.

It depends if you have family close by. We don't and if I go back to work full time a nursery place for the baby will be £720 per month. If I go back part time it's obviously cheaper but then I lose pay. The real cost of children is childcare.