Will anyone be taking kids on holiday in school time

[Vixster]

I am wanting to go in October because of Halloween and want to go a bit more than a week so maybe take kids out for 5 days does anyone else take kids out now they got tougher?

 

[Sandy1892]

Depends on the age of the kids primary school age not really a problem. With older children if they have to miss school time then the very end of the school term is better so long as hey aren't missing any exams.
For me High school is a no no.

 

[Hipster Meg]

We plan on doing this in 2015. We're planning on going at the end of October with the first week of the holiday being half term and the second week during the school year. As DS will be 8 by then it's not a huge deal but if he were any older then I'd think twice about it; during year 6 of primary school they're studying for SATS and personally it's a no-no once they reach secondary school.

 

[sammie1884]

We are in November. But my son is only just starting Primary. I would do it in primary but may think twice when it comes to secondary (although I was taken out for holidays at secondary School and it never did me any harm)

 

[orangetiggs]

I will next year as my twins start next september in primary

 

[Sencybil]

Yes, I'm taking my daughter out of Year 2 for 7 days.

Now I just have to tell the school

Sencybil x

 

[Happy Tappy]

I'm taking my son out in April/May for two weeks next year.

He's in reception and will be four at the time so I justify it to myself by saying that he doesn't technically have to be in school any way.

 

[marypoppins81]

I am taking mine out for 8 days next year. She is in year 2. It is also when they do sats in May but I did not realise. If a child has good attendance then I don't feel it is the governments place to tell me when I can take my child on holiday.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

My personal opinion is,as long as your children wont fall behind because of missing school then go for it.Some people/schools are extremely adverse to it,but we know our children better than most i.e. if they will be affected,also for some school holiday times are impossible.Enjoy them while their still children,because before too long they'll be off to Magaluf with their mates instead

 

[2Tiggies]

Taken my daughter out for as much as 2 weeks at a time right through primary school and taking her out for 3 days prior to next summer.

My opinion: If you're happy and comfortable with it, there isn't a problem, despite what anyone may say. We all have an opinion on the matter. Only yours is valid for your child/children

 

[married2mm]

whilst our last few holidays have been during school holidays,we have also taken our children out of school at various stages of their education and different times of year.

after christmas hols, before feb half term, before easter half term, after may bank holiday, prior to late may holiday and before christmas hols.

the only time i didnt like the idea of missing school was the new school year in sept.
in fact for our florida hols, we have even changed dates previously to ensure we have over a week before returning to school as kids suffer badly from both post disney blues and jetlag!

i was playing yesterday (as you do) on various travel companies websites, and the prices for next summer were simply outrageous-over £12,000 for the 4 of us, before even adding on tickets, car and spending

in september, the prices were literally halved, just disgraceful, and such extreme price differences can never be justified-just awful.

i dont know how schools deal with absences now, we used to get a naughty letter! but it was worth in, in our opinion,but everyone will have differing views.

 

[higgy66]

We've always gone October half term and tagged the 5 days prior to this to make it 2 weeks

I would never take them out the first week of a any term/half term as they always start new topics etc so miss the gist of what the term will be about and also miss being there when they sort out work groups etc

The school has always been more than happy about this however from the 1st of September this year they are now applying the fines as this has been taken out of their hands and the Head Teacher can no longer authorise leave unless you are in the forces and other exceptional circumstances

As we applied in April she was able to approve our leave for this October however, as my eldest starts high school next year we've already booked for August 2014. I wouldn't take them out of school during High School as it's just too much work to catch up and as much as I would love to save ££££'s I don't think it's fair on them having to catch up on their subjects

The difference to go in August rather than our usual October is approx £1K for a family of 4

 

[ninamouse]

I am taking my DS7 and DS4 out of Primary School for our holiday in October.

I planned the holiday so we could incorporate half term - so they will miss six school days previous to it.

There has been a lot about this in the news and although there have been reports of schools fining parents, where I live that is not the case.

It is now law that schools cannot 'authorise' holiday leave and that it will go down on the school records as an 'unautorised absence'. However, when I spoke to one of the teachers at my boys' school, she said she found it very difficult to see how some schools could justify actually 'fining' parents.

My opinion is that life is too short to worry about my children missing a few days of primary school for what will be a wonderful experience for them. I work really hard to be able to give my children a the best possible life and as long as it is not during critical times of schooling then responsible parents should not be criticised. Responsible parents would not make a habit of taking their children our of school and in my experience, they will choose when to take children out of school wisely.

The other major factor here is holiday companies, and if the government wants to enforce more rules on unauthorised holidays etc, then they need to put pressure on holiday firms to reduce their prices in school holidays.

OP - I wouldn't worry about taking your children out in the time you have said.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

We've always gone October half term and tagged the 5 days prior to this to make it 2 weeks

I would never take them out the first week of a any term/half term as they always start new topics etc so miss the gist of what the term will be about and also miss being there when they sort out work groups etc

The school has always been more than happy about this however from the 1st of September this year they are now applying the fines as this has been taken out of their hands and the Head Teacher can no longer authorise leave unless you are in the forces and other exceptional circumstances

As we applied in April she was able to approve our leave for this October however, as my eldest starts high school next year we've already booked for August 2014. I wouldn't take them out of school during High School as it's just too much work to catch up and as much as I would love to save ££££'s I don't think it's fair on them having to catch up on their subjects

The difference to go in August rather than our usual October is approx £1K for a family of 4

Exactly the same has happened at our school.
So what are a lot of people up and down the country going to do, pay the extra £1k or take the £100 fine? Its simple maths really/unfortunatly

 

[flortlebap]

Apparently the rules have changed this year and no absence for holiday can be authorised. If attendance falls below 90%, it can be referred to the Education Welfare Officer who can fine you £60 per week, per child. Our children attend two schools in separate LA's and both have sent letters home about it.

I took all four of our children out of primary school for a week last May, but it was all authorised. I'd probably do it again but if we went when we had planned to next year then I'm looking at the potential of a £480 fine! It still saves us at least £4,000 on August prices though...

 

[Zeebs]

taking our out next May for 7 days to add to the half term. Boys will be 8 and 6, and our daughter will turn 4. She has additional needs and since her arrival to our family, I have decided family time is very important and providing the kids are not falling behind we will take our holiday any time we want. - Except for the beginning of the new school year but that is just cause I found that time to be stressful growing up.

Kirsten

 

[tinkerpea]

I'm taking out our boys in October for a wk added on to half term and I'm also taking them out for 3 wks in may!
Normally we only do 1 trips yr or so but due to how sick I've been this yr we decides to make the most of family time!
Now I'm actually taking my son out of middle school but I still feel that it's important for our family's needs right now.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

It amazes me that parents think school only becomes important once children reach a certain age, or that secondary school is more important than primary school. Parents don't seem to realise that children learn the fundamental basics from the very beginning, and build on those skills throughout school. They don't suddenly start learning "important" things in Year 6.

But, having said that, as a teacher I fully understand how ridiculously expensive things become during the school holidays (because that's the only time DH, our kids, and I can go), and I don't blame parents one bit for wanting a holiday when parks are quieter and fares are cheaper (in fact, I'm very jealous I can't go too - I'd love to see Halloween at WDW!). But please don't think that your child won't be missing anything because "they're only in year 'whatever'"...

Happy holidays!

 

[Elise79]

It amazes me that parents think school only becomes important once children reach a certain age, or that secondary school is more important than primary school. Parents don't seem to realise that children learn the fundamental basics from the very beginning, and build on those skills throughout school. They don't suddenly start learning "important" things in Year 6.

But, having said that, as a teacher I fully understand how ridiculously expensive things become during the school holidays (because that's the only time DH, our kids, and I can go), and I don't blame parents one bit for wanting a holiday when parks are quieter and fares are cheaper (in fact, I'm very jealous I can't go too - I'd love to see Halloween at WDW!). But please don't think that your child won't be missing anything because "they're only in year 'whatever'"...

Happy holidays!

I actually agree with this.

DD had 3 days off last year sick - I couldn't believe the amount of catch up work that came home and she was only in reception. I truly don't think I understood how much missing school would mean until DD started.

I can see her knowledge and skills developing every day and don't want to miss out of learning as it will put her in good standing for the rest of her life.

I also don't think fair to teachers or the other pupils when kids are taken out for holidays as those pupils miss teaching and have to get caught up which means they require more of the teachers time (either supplying work or in class) at the expense of the amount of time the other pupils get.

Family time is important to us and last year more than ever as DH was working really long hours and staying away one night a week however we still took our holidays in the school holidays. Yes it's more expensive and yes the parks are busier but its not forever

 

[Minniesgal]

I think schools forget that family time is educational and important too. While school and education is obviously vital it is not the be all and end all in a child's development.