booking a holiday in school time

[lovemybabies3]

been looking at holidays for next year or the year after! were a family of 5 so looking at 4500 to go abroad! but half that price in school time! what are other peoples views about taking kids out of school to go away! just dont no what to do! and i no i would probably get a fine off school.anybody no how the fines work and how much they are
thanks

[unfortunateevents]

Google the fines. Or search previous threads here. Seriously, this has been done to death on here, I'm not sure anyone has the appetite for yet another thread on this.

[That1950sMum]

I think this has been done to death, but I think it is a definite no. Not ok to teach your children that school is optional. It is your job to teach them to value education. The very fact that there is such a price difference shows that most people wouldn't do this.

[chantico]

How much can you afford, what sorts of things do you like doing on holiday, and are there any countries you particularly like (or have vowed never to visit again)?

Because it may be possible to find an affordable holiday in the holidays that would still be enjoyable. I've seen MNers coming up with all sorts of helpful ideas for those who are on fixed budgets.

[MrsJayy]

I saw a lot of school children when i was abroad recently so people do do it i guess they pay the fine . I did it a few times during my dc school days I chose end of terms usually middle of last week my dds are not work shy slackers who have no purpose in life because we took them on holiday,

[AndNowItIsSeven]

Total fine for three dc £360 per absence, fines are usually for ten sessions or more. A morning/ afternoon count as a session.

[lovemybabies3]

yes my children never have a day off any time, even if there feeling a little under the weather i send them in as school normally takes there mind off it, so not as if they dont think school is important!
my 2nd is starting full time in sept, so will only have 2 in fulltime! my 3rd will be 2 when we would go!
we have been to majorca and would love to go back! just the price is rediculous.

[AlletrixLeStrange]

Google your local council and term time holiday rules or something of the like. I did this and found my local council says that schools within the council cannot fine anyone unless they take more than 10 consecutive days in a year

[lovemybabies3]

thats good to no, thanks ill google now.

[MrsJayy]

Move to scotland they don't fine here you won't get an authorised for holiday but as long as you tell them you are going

[ahipponamedbooboobutt]

With the one starting reception in September - they don't have to legally start school until the term after they are five so if you take dc before that date then you can't be fined. So you are only looking at a fine for the eldest. I don't think it's ok to take them out of school every year just for a holiday, they have 13 weeks a year to take holidays. Yes it can be expensive but you work around it - may and oct half terms are cheaper then August and still have incredible weather in the likes of Spain/Italy/Greece etc. And we have a family of 7 and an annual holiday budget of 2k and we still go abroad every year. It can be done

[KingLooieCatz]

Eurocamp.

Or move to Scotland. DS's teacher happily read the class a postcard from a child who was still away in his country of origin a week into term.

[mrz]

It really is a postcode lottery some LAs don't fine others do
These are top ten LAs for fines LAs academic year

[lovemybabies3]

oh yes i forgot about the reception class! i have just looked at holidays for may half term and beginning of june! £1000 cheaper! looks like thats our best option! thanks all!
kids are off this week and it hasnt stopped raining so its made me think we need to go abroad next year. sick of this weather whenever the kids are off.

[Strawberrybubblebath]

My view is that time off together as a family is essential but going abroad is not. If cost is an issue you can spend time together at home or a Sun newspaper holiday for £15 is good value.
I don't think term time holidays are fair on the teachers who then have to give up their own time to work out what these children will miss and separate out the work and help the child to catch up. Teachers already work all the hours under the sun.
As for the price of the holidays they are discounted at times of reduced demand (term times) but normal price at peak times (school holidays) as there is no need to discount during popular times. It's supply and demand.

[sonlypuppyfat]

I'd go in a heartbeat I hate all this whining from the school lovers, they are your children they are not owned by the school or the state. Go and enjoy yourselves, can you tell I hated school?

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Our local authority have reverted back to authorising up to 10 days each academic year. Read into that what you wish.

Our DC know that school isn't optional but that we have chosen to take them on holiday for a week in January some years. They also know that we only do this because they are doing well and we're lucky that they're very healthy so attendance isn't a concern of ours.

Some will agree, some will disagree but as parents that's what we've decided for our DC while they are in primary school.

[Wellthen]

I'm a teacher - can I go on holiday during term time for the same reason?

The fines aren't that much and most schools don't kick up a fuss because parents do it anyway. But 'because holiday time is expensive/ it rains in England' are not reasons.