School now banning all "out of term" holiday leave

[Kath2003]

I don't have any beef with what you say, BUT, this is no different to working in the commercial world. As a banker, I was contracted and paid for a 35 hour week, but was forced to work more like 60 just to meet my targets.

Of course, I agree - I was merely pointing out that, whilst some people see that with 13 weeks holiday we seem to have a sweet deal (and I agree: it's great - but the pay reflects it) when we work just as hard as any other professional. I bet any teacher would love the salary of a banker but I still wouldn't do anything else

 

[fairytale]

I don't have any beef with what you say, BUT, this is no different to working in the commercial world. As a banker, I was contracted and paid for a 35 hour week, but was forced to work more like 60 just to meet my targets.

I think its the professional world full stop !!!

As a Lawyer I would only get paid a set salary regardless of whether I was up from 5am preparing a case or in the office till 8pm at night dictating etc...

When I had our first child I was offered a part time position to return, but knew without asking the question that I would be paid half my salary for what would end up been a 37 hour week.

 

[UKDEB]

i ll swap jobs with anyone who can just shut there laptop and start again then next morning.....

At the risk of labouring a point; not a reality for most of us. Before I resigned as a Commercial Bank Manager, I was based at home. When I wasn't out on the road visiting customers, it wasn't unusual for me to find mysefl shut in my study from 7am until 7pm and again from 10pm until 2am. On more than one occasion ahead of Florida trips, I've turned off my laptop at 5am and got straight into the car to make my way to the airport!

I bet any teacher would love the salary of a banker.

Believe me, you'd be disappointed.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I think its the professional world full stop !!!

As a Lawyer I would only get paid a set salary regardless of whether I was up from 5am preparing a case or in the office till 8pm at night dictating etc...

When I had our first child I was offered a part time position to return, but knew without asking the question that I would be paid half my salary for what would end up been a 37 hour week.

I agree completely. It is just that it is our profession which is being held up for criticism by some posters here. The fact that educational authorities have banned all term time holidays does not mean that teacher's holiday entitlements are fair game.

I think this point was initally made to highlight the fact that some of us have no choice but to travel in school holidays. Taking a group on an educational visit does NOT count. In doing that I am unable to see my daughter for a week which is heart-wrenching.

Anyway. I think that if you have no option but to remove a child from school for a holiday that you should do it. You can help your child catch up and I would probably do the same myself. However, if you can go in the school holidays that is when you should go.

 

[UKDEB]

When I had our first child I was offered a part time position to return, but knew without asking the question that I would be paid half my salary for what would end up been a 37 hour week.

This is precisely what led me to resign after 28 years full-time. I took a career break to care for my mother and, when that break came to an end, I was encouraged (implored ) to return part-time, but I knew I'd be expected to deliver exactly the same: I'd just be paid less.

 

[scojos]

At the risk of labouring a point; not a reality for most of us. Before I resigned as a Commercial Bank Manager, I was based at home. When I wasn't out on the road visiting customers, it wasn't unusual for me to find mysefl shut in my study from 7am until 7pm and again from 10pm until 2am. On more than one occasion ahead of Florida trips, I've turned off my laptop at 5am and got straight into the car to make my way to the airport!


Believe me, you'd be disappointed.

this is totally the point i was making, thank you for reinforcing it! professionals in all industrys, whatever they may be- well paid or not, do not switch off properly at any time. this is why my disney time is so important, my colleagues laugh at me, a 36year old woman being obsessed with a flying fairy BUT the time on here and the time over there, is family time im not thinking about work...i know...its silly... but its my "down" time, and i deserve it the point i was making (v badly!) is that teachers dont switch off easily...i know there are other people the same
i also think that as dissers we all have a slightly obsessive character, what attracted us to the dis boards in the first place was the need for info to plan a perfect holiday, what makes us stay and spend time here are our friends, we all have different opinions(and this thread is proof of that) but everything and everyone has remained civil, it has been informative and we respect eachothers varied opinions... I like that.
Tracy

 

[wayneg]

kathy-wayne will be surrounded by teachers at the pool party and i have already threatened to throw him in the pool, so he is being on his best behaviour

Teachers are the best!!!! The ones from the Midlands are the best of the best.

Have I got out of a soaking yet?

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

LOL when I saw your name I thought you had closed it!! Hehehehe .... soaking! From a teacher?? Never

 

[psharrock]

Here is my dilema.

We decided last year that we would go to Florida for Easter 2011, trying to be good we didn't want to take the kids out of school like we had done when they were younger and still in infants.

Anyway we have now got the holiday calendars for both our children, and as they are in different schools they do not match at all. DD's school is having the standard 1 week before and 1 week after Easter off, and our DS's school is having two weeks before + Easter Monday & Tuesday.

So I suppose we have 3 choices.

1. Don't Go
2. Take DD 10 out of school for a week at the end of term.
3. Take DS 12 out of school for 3 days at the start of term.

DD will be in year 6, so not keen on taking her out in her SATs year, but don't really want to take DS out of secondary schoold either.

These schools are both in the same LEA, so as its frowned upon taken our children out of school why on earth can't the school holidays not be matched up.

DD's school have already told us they will give her the time off as long as she does the homework they will set her.

However, we are currently edging towards option 3, but are going to talk to DS's school before making a final decision.

Paul

 

[Dimplenose]

This happened a couple of years ago in our area. There were a lot of VERY angry parents - not just the ones that were taking holidays but those arranging child care as well as teachers whose children had different holidays to them.

I know it won't solve your problems but do complain and get everyone else you know to complain too. Now the schools liaise with each other - and there was an apology letter from the few out of kilter schools that caused the problems.

 

[the ringmaster]

Here is my dilema.

We decided last year that we would go to Florida for Easter 2011, trying to be good we didn't want to take the kids out of school like we had done when they were younger and still in infants.

Anyway we have now got the holiday calendars for both our children, and as they are in different schools they do not match at all. DD's school is having the standard 1 week before and 1 week after Easter off, and our DS's school is having two weeks before + Easter Monday & Tuesday.

So I suppose we have 3 choices.

1. Don't Go
2. Take DD 10 out of school for a week at the end of term.
3. Take DS 12 out of school for 3 days at the start of term.

DD will be in year 6, so not keen on taking her out in her SATs year, but don't really want to take DS out of secondary schoold either.

These schools are both in the same LEA, so as its frowned upon taken our children out of school why on earth can't the school holidays not be matched up.

DD's school have already told us they will give her the time off as long as she does the homework they will set her.

However, we are currently edging towards option 3, but are going to talk to DS's school before making a final decision.

Paul

It depends not on the age of the student but on which year they are in. Whichever one doesn't have exams that summer, take her out of school. Explain to the school why you have to take her out and they will probably let her.

 

[Winnie McPooh]

I work in the leisure/sport industry and our busiest times of year are school holidays, so we are encouraged not too take our holidays during these times. So I have to either take my child out of school or not go on holiday. Its not an ideal situation from either side, this year we have decided to take her out of school but it won't be something we will be doing regularly. After this holiday it will be back to days away here and there and the odd weekend.

Just realised ma misses was logged on before me....this is not a post from Winnie McPooh

 

[T16GEM]

I don't have any beef with what you say, BUT, this is no different to working in the commercial world. As a banker, I was contracted and paid for a 35 hour week, but was forced to work more like 60 just to meet my targets.

I think its the professional world full stop !!!

I totally agree with these statements, try working for yourself it NEVER stops! 100% thinking about the business, being at work, working to get work. Even when we were in Florida in January we were constantly in touch with those covering the shop for us, emailing and texting to make sure everything was ok. I think bottom line is we all work hard in our jobs going above and beyond the call of our duties.

Loving that this thread is so totally off topic but still open - it's got to be a first!

 

[Grumpy McScrooge]

I work in the leisure/sport industry and our busiest times of year are school holidays, so we are encouraged not too take our holidays during these times. So I have to either take my child out of school or not go on holiday. Its not an ideal situation from either side, this year we have decided to take her out of school but it won't be something we will be doing regularly. After this holiday it will be back to days away here and there and the odd weekend.

Just realised ma misses was logged on before me....this is not a post from Winnie McPooh

This should have been posted by me!!!!

 

[scojos]

Loving that this thread is so totally off topic but still open - it's got to be a first!

this is because wayne is scared of getting wet

 

[2Tiggies]

this is because wayne is scared of getting wet

 

[mickeyforpresident]

A couple of extra things....

To re-address the OP. I've been trying to find out from my LEA, LEA policy and I'm not completely sure an LEA can instruct all their schools to not allow holidays. Local Management of School's allows all schools to make their own policies, so actually the school could allow you to go if they really wanted to. An example in my authority is that the LEA asks all schools to agree to children moving schools should only do so at the beginning of a term. All the "county" schools abide by this, where as the "church" school do not!

Now.... can I ask all the teachers for their opinion on this. It seems that most parents seem to think that its ok for children to miss weeks of school when they are in infants (Key Stage 1) and juniors (Key Stage 2), where as I see these, especially Reception and KS1 as THE most important years where teacher direction and support is depended on, whereas children, the older they get, the more independant they are and so isn;t it best to take them out then????!!!! I am, of course, coming from a Primary Perspective!!

Thank you Wayne for letting the thread stay open - and if I ever meet you, I promise never to wet you!!!

 

[iluvtot]

OP, just to say we have received the letter threatening us with a fine, having taken our kids out. (This was after speaking to the Head and explaining our situation). When I rang and pointed out that I had already 'cleared' it with the Head (albeit unauthorised), I was told it was a standard letter that wouldn't be acted upon.
Due to DH's job,we had to go outside school hols, but went in Dec, when they lost a few days when they weren't doing much anyway. Last year we went in Aug, first time as DS was taking AS's, and DD'S were taking GCSE's.
This year, again they are all taking exams, so we can't go before 30th June (DS's last exam)
At your children's age, I would say do whatever you feel comfortable with. Life is short, and you never know what is around the corner.The first time we went to Disney was because our son's Godfather died suddenly. He was only 36 and left a wife and a 5 month old son. We couldn't make any sense of it,
but decided then that family would come first. So, regardless of school hols, we took our quality family time when my husband could take it. No regrets at all.
Jules x

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

A couple of extra things....

To re-address the OP. I've been trying to find out from my LEA, LEA policy and I'm not completely sure an LEA can instruct all their schools to not allow holidays. Local Management of School's allows all schools to make their own policies, so actually the school could allow you to go if they really wanted to. An example in my authority is that the LEA asks all schools to agree to children moving schools should only do so at the beginning of a term. All the "county" schools abide by this, where as the "church" school do not!

Now.... can I ask all the teachers for their opinion on this. It seems that most parents seem to think that its ok for children to miss weeks of school when they are in infants (Key Stage 1) and juniors (Key Stage 2), where as I see these, especially Reception and KS1 as THE most important years where teacher direction and support is depended on, whereas children, the older they get, the more independant they are and so isn;t it best to take them out then????!!!! I am, of course, coming from a Primary Perspective!!

Thank you Wayne for letting the thread stay open - and if I ever meet you, I promise never to wet you!!!

I respectfully disagree. I taught infants for six years before moving to upper key stage 2. I am confident that I teach more content now than I did with the little ones. Also with little ones they are learning through doing and through experiences. You can teach phonics, early reading, number and colour, routine, time of the day ... .... all through the stimulating holiday environment. The things which I cover would be much harder to tie in real life situations - I know I would seriously struggle and I know the topics and learning intentions inside out.

I also disagree re the soaking situation

 

[luke]

And it's gone...