School rules . .

[Elise79]

At the end of the day parents have a legal obligation to ensure their children are educated whether they like it or not. If they choose to send them to a state school then they have to abide by the rules laid down by government in relation to attendance.

Whether you agree with this or not it is fact.

Please let keep this to the point asked and not turn it into a personal debate.

 

[Portugal1000]

I just think its a shame that it will families who cant afford to go away in school holidays will either miss out or be labeled as bad parents for taking their children out of school. I am incredibly lucky to be able to go in summer school holidays but I have friends who would struggle to afford a week in England a caravan in August. Even those prices are 3 times more expensive than say the second week of June. I also think that there are so many people that work hard all year and then to be told you can't have a holiday at the only time you can afford. Do people really think they should just go without? I had to take my son out for one day in October as we went to Italy in half term. It was a genuine mistake on my part as I thought the last day of term was an inset day. The head of year called me to say they couldn't authorise holiday but thought that it was fantastic that my son had the opportunity to visit Pompeii, Naples and mount Vesuvius. He said all that would happen would be at the end of year the governors would look at all the unauthorised days off and would then ask each head of year about the child involved. From that conversation they would decide if any action would be taken but by action he meant a letter might be sent reminding parents of the policy. I never planned to ask for holiday in secondary school and I won't in the future. I will just have to check the school calendar more carefully next time!!

 

[mikkithemouse]

I'm probably going to get flamed here, but my cousin is coming out of school for a week and she's going to miss her year six sats. It's not an option to re-schedule the holiday, so she just won't do them. I feel really guilty about it, but she deserves to go to Florida, and she will probably learn whilst over there anyway.

 

[joolz1910]

I am a parent and I teach in a secondary school. I believe that parents should be able to take up to 10 days during term-time in any academic year and I think that the new measures introduced to curb term-time holidays are punitive and pointless. 10 days absence is hardly likely to ruin a child's life chances!

 

[tinkerpea]

I'm probably going to get flamed here, but my cousin is coming out of school for a week and she's going to miss her year six sats. It's not an option to re-schedule the holiday, so she just won't do them. I feel really guilty about it, but she deserves to go to Florida, and she will probably learn whilst over there anyway.

You may get flamed but not by me,
There are a lot of schools now that don't even sit the year 6 sats!! So they can't be that important, yes they help understand where a child is at, but I personally believe they are pointless and stressful for the child! While only there to make the school look good.

 

[2Tiggies]

I am a parent and I teach in a secondary school. I believe that parents should be able to take up to 10 days during term-time in any academic year and I think that the new measures introduced to curb term-time holidays are punitive and pointless. 10 days absence is hardly likely to ruin a child's life chances!

I agree with you

I'm neither here nor there for the most part on this topic because I believe this is such a personal and individual decision.

What I do know is that holidays are not the primary reason for most absences in the classroom through the year. Sickness by definition is very subjective. I know that some parents keep home a perfectly well child 'just in case' at the first sign that something might be wrong and while many sick days are justified, just like we see often in the workplace, a sick day does not necessarily mean sick ....

My daughter has fewer than 5 sick days on her school record since 2005. I therefore do not feel guilty about the years that she has had between 5 and at most 10 school days off for a vacation. Up until this year I was unable to take more than a week off during the summer holidays so that left me with Easter and October, to bridge onto a school break, or just to take her out whenever.

Now in secondary school, by DD's own choice, we have decided not to take a term time vacation but have offset the cost of the flights somewhat by taking her out for the last 2.5 days of the school year. In our case, I felt it was worth discussing this with DD. She's well aware that missing school can not only mean catching up afterwards, but also missing out on fun activities which may be planned by the school long after a trip has been booked by us. I think it's important for her to understand the balance between being responsible and making decisions taking all factors into account, including the cost. These are basic life skills. I know we all argue that Disney is educational and I agree; but teaching our children about how to evaluate a decision is also educational

You have to do what is best for you and for your child/children

 

[kevin harrison]

Deleted post

 

[kevin harrison]

The next time we can afford to go to Orlando, I will have no issue at all with taking my kids out of school, if they are still there !

I am the parent and decide what my kids can and cannot do.

You know how many holidays I use up on terms time days off or when teachers decide to have a strike because they are so hard done to?

Maybe I'll start charging school every time they close down for a strike.

How is this ruling fair on less well off families that can afford to pay the premiums during summer holidays?

 

[joolz1910]

The next time we can afford to go to Orlando, I will have no issue at all with taking my kids out of school, if they are still there !

I am the parent and decide what my kids can and cannot do.

You know how many holidays I use up on terms time days off or when teachers decide to have a strike because they are so hard done to?

Maybe I'll start charging school every time they close down for a strike.

How is this ruling fair on less well off families that can afford to pay the premiums during summer holidays?

Kevin, teachers don't make the rules about terrm-time holidays - it's the current government's decision. It is also the same government that teachers are trying (and failing) to negotiate with over how they are changing the terms and conditions of our contracts. When I strike, I lose a day's pay. I wear my political allegiance on my sleeve and fully support the Trade Unions, so I'll get off my soapbox!

We are on the same side - many teachers are also parents.

 

[joolz1910]

What I do know is that holidays are not the primary reason for most absences in the classroom through the year. Sickness by definition is very subjective. I know that some parents keep home a perfectly well child 'just in case' at the first sign that something might be wrong and while many sick days are justified, just like we see often in the workplace, a sick day does not necessarily mean sick ....

This is absolutely true. There is such a huge detrimental impact on a child's progress when the child is absent on a regular basis. This is much more of a problem than a family taking a child out for a one-off holiday.

 

[luke]

Kevin, teachers don't make the rules about terrm-time holidays - it's the current government's decision. It is also the same government that teachers are trying (and failing) to negotiate with over how they are changing the terms and conditions of our contracts. When I strike, I lose a day's pay. I wear my political allegiance on my sleeve and fully support the Trade Unions, so I'll get off my soapbox! We are on the same side - many teachers are also parents.

Don't feed to troll, Joolz

 

[crabbie1]

Oh dear another heated discussion about "in or out of school". I have done it with my daughter since she was 4 and she has obtained top grades so I cannot comment on the downsides.
Saying silly comments about "you chose to be a teacher"?? Yes they did like I chose to be a nurse. Thats a good profession and like all jobs they have rules to follow.

 

[kevin harrison]

Don't feed to troll, Joolz

Don't call me a troll Luke.

I mean it.

Sick of tired of teachers complaining about their lot. They get huge breaks and don't give me that nonsense about it's all spent marking or working long hours.

Millions of people work very long days on minimum pay with next to no pension.

The very same people who cannot afford to pay the prices charged in Summer holidays etc.

I'm a manager and Xmas is very busy for our company and I spent 50 hours last week and am contracted for 37.5 - I get 2 days off at xmas, but you know what? That was my choice and I love my job.

So the next time my kids schools strike, I'll be charging the school or authorities if they dare fine me for taking my kids out, if I ever do it.

Teachers should be like certain service and unable to strike.

Before anyone defends teachers, I will say this - you do an amazing job.

If you don't have kids, you have no valid opinion either, as you have no idea of cost implications of these rules.

 

[Kath2003]

Oh good grief. No teachers were whinging about their workload or holidays, just saying they were in the same situation of being tied to term dates. And I'm not sure how's it's impossible for people without kids to understand the price difference between school holidays and term time holidays...

 

[joolz1910]

Don't call me a troll Luke.

I mean it.

Sick of tired of teachers complaining about their lot. They get huge breaks and don't give me that nonsense about it's all spent marking or working long hours.

Millions of people work very long days on minimum pay with next to no pension.

The very same people who cannot afford to pay the prices charged in Summer holidays etc.

I'm a manager and Xmas is very busy for our company and I spent 50 hours last week and am contracted for 37.5 - I get 2 days off at xmas, but you know what? That was my choice and I love my job.

So the next time my kids schools strike, I'll be charging the school or authorities if they dare fine me for taking my kids out, if I ever do it.

Teachers should be like certain service and unable to strike.

Before anyone defends teachers, I will say this - you do an amazing job.

If you don't have kids, you have no valid opinion either, as you have no idea of cost implications of these rules.

Do you feel the same way about Fire Fighters and Prison Warders, NHS workers, the Police? They are also striking or campaigning because the government has raised their retirement ages, or is your disgust reserved only for the teaching profession?

By your own logic, I could easily say: If you don't teach, you have no valid opinion either, as you have no idea about teaching. But I won't because that would be childish.

 

[luke]

Don't call me a troll Luke. I mean it. Sick of tired of teachers complaining about their lot. They get huge breaks and don't give me that nonsense about it's all spent marking or working long hours. Millions of people work very long days on minimum pay with next to no pension. The very same people who cannot afford to pay the prices charged in Summer holidays etc. I'm a manager and Xmas is very busy for our company and I spent 50 hours last week and am contracted for 37.5 - I get 2 days off at xmas, but you know what? That was my choice and I love my job. So the next time my kids schools strike, I'll be charging the school or authorities if they dare fine me for taking my kids out, if I ever do it. Teachers should be like certain service and unable to strike. Before anyone defends teachers, I will say this - you do an amazing job. If you don't have kids, you have no valid opinion either, as you have no idea of cost implications of these rules.

Possibly the most oxymoronic post I've ever seen

 

[joolz1910]

Possibly the most oxymoronic post I've ever seen

To be fair, Kevin isn't usually trollish.

 

[luke]

To be fair, Kevin isn't usually trollish.

We will agree to disagree but I'm gonna leave it there

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Good heated debates are good, but this is way too personnel now.Its not fun to read anymore.Can we close it please

 

[LeaversOnTour]

Do you feel the same way about Fire Fighters and Prison Warders, NHS workers, the Police? They are also striking or campaigning because the government has raised their retirement ages, or is your disgust reserved only for the teaching profession?

By your own logic, I could easily say: If you don't teach, you have no valid opinion either, as you have no idea about teaching. But I won't because that would be childish.

The same logic regarding pensions cannot be applied to the above professions, with the exception of Nursing. The other professions require fitness. To expect a 65 year old man/woman to be as fit as a 40 year old is both ridiculous and dangerous! Would you want a team of 65 year old firefighters running in to you house that's burning down or a team of 30 year olds who are far less likely to die of a heart attack before they get your child out. Same with Prison wardens and police officers.

It doesn't matter how old you are if your a teacher. I personally do not think teachers deserve any better packages than the rest of nation, with the exception of the above. Because you chose to do this job rather than drive a train doesn't mean you need more money than him/her to survive when your 80!