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Original poster

Wouldn’t you take your year 8 child out of school for a week for a once ina. Lifetime holiday ?

142 replies

LardLizard · 28/11/2018 15:05

I’d it saved you over 1k

OP posts:
CarolDanvers · 28/11/2018 16:09

Certainly. I already have.

ifiwasabutterfly · 28/11/2018 16:15

What is the once in a life time holiday?

Sparklingbrook · 28/11/2018 16:17

Depends on what the holiday is. It may not be once in a lifetime for the DC if they can go again later on as adults.

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SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 28/11/2018 16:19

Yes.

Cucumbum · 28/11/2018 16:22

Yes

Butterymuffin · 28/11/2018 16:24

I'm curious about what this once in a lifetime holiday is. Is it to see family?

flowery · 28/11/2018 16:25

I’d be a bit more sympathetic if it were a case that you’re so cash-strapped that if you don’t do it this way, there will be no holiday at all.

Is there a reason the ‘holiday of a lifetime’ has to be done then? Rather than saved-up-for for a couple more years? Does it tie in with a one-off family event or something?

chubbymummy · 28/11/2018 16:29

Yes, I absolutely would (and I work in education too!).
Just don't expect the teachers to sort out extra homework for you though as your holiday shouldn't cause them additional work!

craftinglife · 28/11/2018 16:30

If the child does well in class and is up to the level they should be at then yes, I would.

Satsumaeater · 28/11/2018 16:37

You don't get fined for a week anyway.

But can it really not happen outside term-time? Or partly eg go for 2 days term-time and the rest in the holidays?

twosoups1972 · 28/11/2018 16:37

Not sure. They do say Year 8 is a bit of a 'nothing' year. But on the other hand I'd feel guilty about it because I'm a big believer in regular attendance. They miss a lot of lessons over the course of a week.

Racecardriver · 28/11/2018 16:39

Unless someone is dying it’s not a once in a life time thing. But I don’t see any harm with a child missing a week of school for a holiday. It was normal where I came from. Nobody ever suffered for it.

Pieceofpurplesky · 28/11/2018 16:42

I am a teacher and I have no issues about it up until Year 10 as long as it's a one off.

It does depend where it is though - I often have pupils having time off to go to various resorts for a week or two all inclusive because it is cheaper. I don't necessarily agree with that.

Also don't ask for work if you have no intention of doing it. It bugs me as rarely gets done.

MamaDoGood · 28/11/2018 16:48

ABSOLUTELY I would and have!
I did get fined and my children had perfect attendance before it (5 days off school) 2 different schools, a fine per kid per parent. Cost us an extra £240.

totally worth it.

NailsNeedDoing · 28/11/2018 16:56

If the only thing that makes it 'once in a lifetime' is the fact that you'd save a grand, then it really isn't 'once in a lifetime' so no, I wouldn't do it. Unless parents know for sure that their child is doing extremely well at school in all their subjects and is on target for high grades, then I don't really think they should consider it. Time out of school has different impacts on different children.

caringcarer · 28/11/2018 16:57

It depends on your child's ability academically. If they were in top set and doing well then yeas but if struggling in middle or bottom set then no. I am a teacher and taught A levels in Sixth Form of school along with GCSE. One of my best Year 12 students asked me as his form tutor if he could have 2 days off to go to Glastonbury about 6 weeks before his AS exams and I told him yes, providing he told no other student except one he was going with and caught up the work. He died two years later and at his funeral his parents came over and thanked me for letting him go to Glastonbury as that had been an enduring high for him and they said most tutors would have said no. I was so glad I agreed he could go as I was in two minds at the time and worried the Head Teacher might find out I had agreed it. Learning can take place in many places not just a classroom.

IBlameJulieBindel · 28/11/2018 16:58

Personally, no, probably not, but I'm only one woman talking for herself.

PhilomenaButterfly · 28/11/2018 16:59

Yes.

Sexnotgender · 28/11/2018 17:00

If it’s actually once in a lifetime yes.

However very few are.

I allowed my daughter 10 days off school as she was picked for Dreamflight when she was 12. That is truly once in a lifetime.

Howhot · 28/11/2018 17:18

For a primary school aged child, yes I would. I'd deal with any fines if it saved me that much money!

MerryMarigold · 28/11/2018 17:24

I'd say it totally depends on the week of removal. A week at the end of pretty much most terms is worth about 10 per cent of of the first week if term. In the middle, I'd check for assessments and whether they are important.

bullyingadvice2017 · 28/11/2018 17:36

Yes I do take mine out for holidays. Not every year, but fairly often over the years. Kids in top sets and doing great. Can count sick days on one hand for two kids schooling over 10 years
Going again soon, can't wait.
Never been fined. If I was I'd pay it.

GreenDinosaur · 28/11/2018 18:11

Do it. You never know what is going to happen in life. Missing a bit of school at a non-crucial time is not what you'll be worrying about on your death bed.

avocadoincident · 28/11/2018 18:21

DO IT!!!!!

SushiMonster · 28/11/2018 18:23

Yes.

But I wouldn’t ask the teachers to set work or anything that adds to their existing massive work load. If you miss it, you need to copy out of friends books or something.