School unauthorised absence article from MSE

[dixonsontour]

Saw this and thought I'd post it here as I know the topic comes up. I know it can cause heated arguments on some sites but thought info may be useful for anyone making a decision.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/fa...2&utm_campaign=nt-oneliners-one&utm_content=2

 

[Tash87]

Thank you for sharing. I was reading the article from behind my hands.

I'm taking my daughter off school for 8 days . I hate the thought of taking her off school but it's the only way we can afford to do this once in a lifetime ( going all out ) trip. We won't be going back to Florida for a few years so we intend to make our next trip good one!

She has excellent attendance, and works above her age group. When I fill in her holiday request form I am going to say that I don't mind taking some homework for her to do, but then I think we are paying all this money for our holiday and I don't really want to be worrying about her homework! So stuff it I probably won't say that lol. It wouldn't make the headmaster grant the holiday anyway.

 

[bex7583]

i really hate this rule !! the lea seem to assume that all parents can time off work in school holidays to take their holidays also ??

my kids will be missing over 2 week of school ( the fine is per period so if im going to get a fine for them missing 5 days i may aswell take the bigger flight saving and come home on a flight a week later )

plus my dps work is very restrictive with holiday times , the odd time he has had holidays booked this year he has ended up cancelling and going back in to work . He had to request this holiday well over 18 month in advance with his employer. he works away alot if we are lucky he make sit home one day a week though often that will be very late at night ( kids in bed) and then up and out at 6am to drive back to work so they dont even know hes been home

my kids have excellent attendance and i doubt we will ask to take any school work with us as i know we will be too busy to do it !!

looking forward to spending the best part of a full month as a family ! and that is well worth any fine the school can give me ( plus £1715 for 5 flights) its a total no brainer. would probably be closer to that p.p to have gone the full month of august !!

 

[khibs]

I hate this law, really hope it changes! We took our daughter out of school last year and will be taking her out again for 7 days this year (5 days before Christmas & 2 days before Easter). She is in year 2 and is well above where she needs to be and apart form the holiday absence she has very good attendance. I think the decision should be put back in the headteachers hands I would never do anything I believe is detrimental to my children and I believe that family time is very important. Children learn in all different situations not just in a school, hopefully they will realise how ridiculous this law is and change it shortly!

 

[scoobydooby]

Just a note. This is a central government directive. That means it has been visioned by a largely male group of privately educated men who will likely have a limited concept of the school holiday calendar for state schools, which is shorter than for private schools. They will also have zero concept of childhood memories of parents saving for holidays. The LA are just tasked with implementing the directive. The recent court judgement re what constitutes regular attendance will now no doubt play itself out over several other cases.

 

[dixonsontour]

I understand the LA have lodged an appeal.
The problem is most people won't risk a criminal conviction by challenging it and will just pay the £60.
I'm glad the article makes the point that private schools are exempt. This seems to have gone under the radar so far. My friends are gob smacked that we still get hols authorised.
For what it's worth my dd is in a private school. School publish the 2 exam weeks at start of year and say avoid these and please keep other absence to a minimum. Dd was authorised 3 days off in October tacked on to half term no issues at all. Previous years we have also done a day or two tacked on to half term authorised.
Dd will being going into state at secondary and I'm hoping things may have moved on by then.

 

[joolz1910]

I hate this too and I am a teacher...but a parent first. If I wasn't tied to school holidays, I would definitely take my children out to take advantage of cheaper flights. There is far more damage done to children's education when parents allow frequent absences throughout the year. A family holiday is worth its weight in gold and should never be underestimated.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Well done Mr Platt for taking on this narrow minded rule,and i say narrow minded with experience.My daughter has severe dyslexia, she goes to a regular secondary school,never paid for tutors etc She has recently passed 10 GCSEs A*-B, is now taking 4 A Levels, looking to study Chemistry at Degree level and we took her out of school every other year from the age of 4-14 for up to 10 days, and she has a ton of magical memories to go with it!

 

[ford family]

Just a note. This is a central government directive. That means it has been visioned by a largely male group of privately educated men who will likely have a limited concept of the school holiday calendar for state schools, which is shorter than for private schools. They will also have zero concept of childhood memories of parents saving for holidays. The LA are just tasked with implementing the directive. The recent court judgement re what constitutes regular attendance will now no doubt play itself out over several other cases.

You are entitled to your opinion which I could easily dispute except for the fact that political comments and discussions are not allowed on these boards, as you well know.

ford family

 

[scoobydooby]

You are entitled to your opinion which I could easily dispute except for the fact that political comments and discussions are not allowed on these boards, as you well know.

ford family

Not a political comment. Just a factual observation. I don't actually agree with taking children out of school for more than a day or so and then only pre key stage GCSE. Had I been trying to make a political comment I may have reflected on a Government who supposedly wish to reduce state intervention in all aspects of society and life, unless of course it suites them to increase it. Mods of course remove that, which is indeed a political comment. I'm just showing the difference really.....

 

[tinkerpea]

I will continue to take my 3 boys out of school.and if we have to pay the fine sonde it,
So far we have had two trips classed as exceptional circumstances, due to me having head surgeries and chemo.
If my illness has taught me anything it's that life is just too damn short, and to make as many happy memories with my boys and husband while I still can.
My husband being military does not get time off in the summer, as another section has their block leave then,
He is also forced to use some of his leave over Xmas, however we like to be home with family at that time.
We have to authorise leave a year in advance, and then as some know that can get cancelled at any time,and we only get a percentage of the money back.

Naturally this all means we go at the cheapest quietest time to lose the least amount, and have the most chance at keeping the leave, I'd rather be fined, then not have the chance to experience these great times with my children while Im still able.

Unfortunately my children have to work extra hard as there just not that academic,and this has meant that since September they have gone into school an extra 30 mins early every day.
They also have extra private tuition once a wk after school, so we do work hard to do our best.
Just because my children don't get A's and are not ahead for their age, does not mean they don't deserve a break and a holiday.
I do hope this changes in the future, as parents just can not afford out of term trips.