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Original poster

Would you take your kids out of school to go travelling?

85 replies

Travellingtime123 · 05/04/2025 06:59

We’re in a very fortunate position to have the opportunity to take our kids travelling for a year if we want to. We just need to decide if it’s a good idea.

  • We’ve lived abroad for a decade and we’re planning to come back to the UK. We’ll be changing jobs/schools anyway so could take a gap year before we come back.
  • The kids will be 9 and 7 (we’d come back to the UK in time for them to start year 6 and 4).
  • We own a home in the UK so we know where we’re moving back to. Although I have no idea how this would affect school applications etc.
  • Both kids like travelling (we’ve done a lot since they were babies), we’ve done full summers but at a pretty slow pace and obviously only for 7 weeks during summer holidays.
  • Both kids are doing well academically at school, we’d do some home schooling whilst we travel but it obviously isn’t the same as being in school.
  • Both kids are very sociable and make friends easily. They also get on well with each other (usually!)
  • Financially we could do it pretty comfortably without having to make too many other compromises (I realize how fortunate this is).
  • Family would fly out and meet us at various points for a couple of weeks at a time.

In our position would you do it?
If so, where would you go? I’d love to hear tips from anyone who has done it or anyone who homeschools kids this age.

OP posts:
Original poster
Travellingtime123 · 19/04/2025 15:34

littlemisswednesday · 19/04/2025 08:52

We took a family gap year last year with our boys (they missed Year 3 and 5 of school) and if you've got the chance to do it I would absolutely go for it. Best thing we've ever done! They both learnt so much in-person, from rainforest ecosystems to Mayan history, marine biology, different forms of religion/beliefs etc etc. We covered Maths and English with them on the way round (we bought the White Rose Maths workbooks that come with online lessons and had a planner for English from school). They read SO MUCH on our travels and had the chance to spend time on other things they hadn't done much of in school (a lot of time sketching, cartooning, coding online and learning Spanish).

They've been back in school for a few months now and are flying - my eldest just got full marks on all of his SAT practice tests. My one bit of advice would be plan a slow route (slower than you might think!) and join some world-schooling groups on FB. There are loads of hubs around the world and we joined a couple or free ones on our way round and they were great places to meet other families and let the boys hang out with other kids their age for a few weeks.

That’s amazing. Ours will be a similar age so it’s good to hear from someone who has done it.
Would you mind sharing your itinerary?
Do you have any tips? Any locations or activities that were particularly successful (or unsuccessful!)

OP posts:
littlemisswednesday · 19/04/2025 08:52

We took a family gap year last year with our boys (they missed Year 3 and 5 of school) and if you've got the chance to do it I would absolutely go for it. Best thing we've ever done! They both learnt so much in-person, from rainforest ecosystems to Mayan history, marine biology, different forms of religion/beliefs etc etc. We covered Maths and English with them on the way round (we bought the White Rose Maths workbooks that come with online lessons and had a planner for English from school). They read SO MUCH on our travels and had the chance to spend time on other things they hadn't done much of in school (a lot of time sketching, cartooning, coding online and learning Spanish).

They've been back in school for a few months now and are flying - my eldest just got full marks on all of his SAT practice tests. My one bit of advice would be plan a slow route (slower than you might think!) and join some world-schooling groups on FB. There are loads of hubs around the world and we joined a couple or free ones on our way round and they were great places to meet other families and let the boys hang out with other kids their age for a few weeks.

wendyoz · 05/04/2025 23:13

When we left Asia for Australasia, we travelled for 8 months through Europe with the boys, then aged 12 and 10. I had them research Europe for places they wanted to visit. One chose military history sites, the other mostly theme parks! We spent the majority of time camping or AirbnB in major cities. It was great, we tended to do 1 activity day ( rafting, cycling, high wires hiking etc) followed by 1 cultural day ( museums, galleries, historic places) They kept a diary, improved their language skills and we discussed the pertinent points of each place before visiting for context. We all enjoyed the experience. They were not behind academically and still show a greater interest/understanding of world affairs when compared to most of their peers. I would recommend it. Life is short, they grow up so quick.

BeaAndBen · 05/04/2025 15:35

(Although quite what they remember will probably not be what you hope - “remember the electronic toilet in Japan? Remember when that baby threw up on the bus driver?” etc etc)

BeaAndBen · 05/04/2025 15:34

Honestly, I think you’d be mad NOT to go! It will be an amazing experience for your family and something they will remember forever.

Original poster
Travellingtime123 · 05/04/2025 15:29

minnienono · 05/04/2025 11:28

The English national curriculum is online so it’s pretty easy to ensure they don’t miss anything too significant, as each school system is different, they may be ahead in some areas and behind in others anyway. You can’t apply for schools until you are resident and nothing happens over the summer holidays so I would recommend being back in your house by 1st July so they stand a chance of starting school the following September when you do return

That’s a really good point. Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Travellingtime123 · 05/04/2025 15:27

AppsDeleted · 05/04/2025 15:15

Why did you not travel before you had children ?

We did a bit, but I didn’t meet DH until our early 30s. Then a mixture of work/study commitments and lack of money meant we haven’t travelled together as much as we’d like.

Also, I really want to travel with the kids. I enjoy experiencing new things with them
and they absolutely love it (most of the time).
I’d like to spend a year exploring as a family before they get into secondary education and our opportunities to do it are limited (and they want to spend more time with friends rather than going on holidays with their parents/sibling).
DH and I will travel together as a couple once we retire and they’ve left home but we’d like to spend this time with them whilst they’re young.

OP posts:
Gogogo12345 · 05/04/2025 15:18

AppsDeleted · 05/04/2025 15:15

Why did you not travel before you had children ?

Who said the OP hadn't.?

Could ask why would your children shouldn't have the opportunity if you have the ability and means to enable it

AppsDeleted · 05/04/2025 15:15

Why did you not travel before you had children ?

Swiftie1878 · 05/04/2025 14:51

I, personally, wouldn’t, but you’ve obviously given it a lot of thought, so go for it!

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 05/04/2025 14:21

Met a couple who travelled to Thailand with their young daughter every winter. School emailed work for her and she studied each morning. Seemed to work.

SpringIsSpringing25 · 05/04/2025 12:51

OneWaryCat · 05/04/2025 07:48

Go. It sounds amazing. You'll never have the opportunity to have so much time together again and they are young enough to catch up in school. It also sounds as those you are well off and educated enough to help with any future needs of your children, so I don't see this year off affecting them in the long run. (E.g studies that show children who miss school are more likely to live in poverty as adults etc)

I don't need to be repeating this!!

In your situation, I'd go without any further thought!! It's an amazing opportunity for them,

achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 05/04/2025 12:48

@Zippidydoodah they had some weird ideas for a while though - my favourite being when we went to Wales for a wedding about a month after we got back and they were very worried they wouldn't be able to drink the tap water (they'd been using filter bottles for most of the year as most of the countries we were in you would definitely not ahve been drinking it)!

Zippidydoodah · 05/04/2025 12:45

achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 05/04/2025 11:29

We did this though they were slightly younger - went back in at Year 3 and Year 5. It was brilliant - their education hasn't suffered at all and they look back on it incredibly fondly. I think we're a more cohesive family because of it.

Academically, it's been fine. DD1 got all 7-9s at GCSE and is doing fine at A-Level - she needed no catching up. DD2 ended up ahead because we just taught them together. Coasted a bit for a few years. Socially, they're both very happy and adept.

They got back into the same primary but as others have noted this isn't a given. These older years are often years that are not full in schools though so I reckon you'll be fine.

My one tip is not to move on TOO often. They'll need interaction with other kids and friends. Ours went to a slightly hippy school in one country for a while. They didn't learn anything academically there - some language skills - but they did need the social interaction with children and a home base for a bit.

Good luck!

This is so interesting! Their life experiences are so rich.

achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 05/04/2025 11:29

We did this though they were slightly younger - went back in at Year 3 and Year 5. It was brilliant - their education hasn't suffered at all and they look back on it incredibly fondly. I think we're a more cohesive family because of it.

Academically, it's been fine. DD1 got all 7-9s at GCSE and is doing fine at A-Level - she needed no catching up. DD2 ended up ahead because we just taught them together. Coasted a bit for a few years. Socially, they're both very happy and adept.

They got back into the same primary but as others have noted this isn't a given. These older years are often years that are not full in schools though so I reckon you'll be fine.

My one tip is not to move on TOO often. They'll need interaction with other kids and friends. Ours went to a slightly hippy school in one country for a while. They didn't learn anything academically there - some language skills - but they did need the social interaction with children and a home base for a bit.

Good luck!

minnienono · 05/04/2025 11:28

The English national curriculum is online so it’s pretty easy to ensure they don’t miss anything too significant, as each school system is different, they may be ahead in some areas and behind in others anyway. You can’t apply for schools until you are resident and nothing happens over the summer holidays so I would recommend being back in your house by 1st July so they stand a chance of starting school the following September when you do return

itsgettingweird · 05/04/2025 11:24

Absolutely - you’d not see me for dust if I was fortunate to be in this position.

I hope you have a wonderful time

Gogogo12345 · 05/04/2025 11:23

RedToothBrush · 05/04/2025 10:42

Honest answer is if I was going to do it I'd have done it sooner than you plan to. Yr4 is the last sensible year to do it.

The main reason is making sure your elder one can get into high school and has time to form at least some friendships before high school. I think yr6 is too late. I changed schools in yr6 and it made things tougher than they probably otherwise would have been. It was hard to get into established friendship groups and this also left me in a slight disadvantage going into highschool too. One or two years earlier would have definitely been easier.

Also having a place by year 6 is relevant in some areas to high school entry - you couldn't leave it as late as yr6 as they will be full. Realistically in these places if you aren't in by yr5 it could affect your entry. I know friends who live very close to a high school but because their kids were not in the right primary (they went private due to bullying) they couldn't switch back to state school at yr7. It is unusual but make sure it's on your radar - the criteria for getting a place at high school vary hugely. So I stress checking this before making a decision.

But not all kids go into same secondary as their primary friends anyway. DD2 didn't as went to grammar ( only one from her school) and DS went to a different secondary to most of his year . 3 of them from 40 and none in form group so knew no one

Gogogo12345 · 05/04/2025 11:15

Sirzy · 05/04/2025 07:50

Go for it!

but do be aware that if they are in a state school the place won’t be held for them so they may end up having to go to a different school

They are not in the school that they would go to after anyway so that's not really relevant. They'd be moving country no matter what.

Id have loved to have had the opportunity to do that

partyfoodpickingpiggy · 05/04/2025 11:14

1000% go!!! What an absolutely wonderful opportunity. Life is for living! Lucky children!

C152 · 05/04/2025 11:11

Yes, absolutely! I also second the idea of a tutor - a great tutor really can make a world of difference. I'd probably suggest online tutoring twice a week while you're away, if possilble, to make sure it's not a huge shock when they get back.

Hysterectomynext · 05/04/2025 11:00

Yes. Definitely
did it myself for short periods but a year would have been fantastic
i was taken out of school several times as a child for traveling. It was so educational

Birch101 · 05/04/2025 10:57

I would totally do it met a family in Thailand who had taken their 3 boys out to travel for a year oldest was Y7 they knew more about African politics than i ever will 😁 the memories you will make you may never be able to make again, you have options and resources to pay for tutoring during after travels if needed but buy God I would love to do that with my child, go for it! Personally I'd Asia down to Oz/Nz and Canada

Differentstarts · 05/04/2025 10:50

Yes absolutely travel is the best education anyone can get and I think your kids are at great ages for it

RedToothBrush · 05/04/2025 10:42

Honest answer is if I was going to do it I'd have done it sooner than you plan to. Yr4 is the last sensible year to do it.

The main reason is making sure your elder one can get into high school and has time to form at least some friendships before high school. I think yr6 is too late. I changed schools in yr6 and it made things tougher than they probably otherwise would have been. It was hard to get into established friendship groups and this also left me in a slight disadvantage going into highschool too. One or two years earlier would have definitely been easier.

Also having a place by year 6 is relevant in some areas to high school entry - you couldn't leave it as late as yr6 as they will be full. Realistically in these places if you aren't in by yr5 it could affect your entry. I know friends who live very close to a high school but because their kids were not in the right primary (they went private due to bullying) they couldn't switch back to state school at yr7. It is unusual but make sure it's on your radar - the criteria for getting a place at high school vary hugely. So I stress checking this before making a decision.