What is the current position on holidays in term time?

[redambergreen70]

We have always taken our two DC out of school to go on holidays in term time. We have been fortunate enough never to be fined by primary school, however DD will move to secondary this year.

Before I book for next year, can someone help me understand what stance secondary takes on this and what the potential consequences are please.

They aren't going to fall so far behind they can never catch up for missing a couple of school days 😂 we fully engage with their education the rest of the time and they are where they need to be or ahead. And most of the class miss days here and there over the year for family holidays

It depends what is important to you.

It depends on what your child misses

@Youcancallmeirrelevant there is a difference between genuine illness and missing because of a holiday.

If you decide to lie and say your child was unwell, you have to be sure they won’t forget and talk about their holiday. You also need to be sure that, when you phone in sick for them, foreign ring tones, foreign voices or any one of a number of things won’t give you away.

This debate goes on and on. It isn’t an issue that is easily resolvable and it isn’t the responsibility of the school to fine, merely to report the absences and whether they are authorised or not. There will always be people who wouldn’t think of taking children out of school, those who feel it’s their right to go on holiday when it suits them best and those who do it reluctantly and rarely.

Guess it depends on the school but I know that my DC's secondary school asks pupils to complete catch up sheets for any lessons missed, even for days they are unwell.
My DC was off sick for one day and had to catch up with work & homework for all 5 lessons and get it all signed off by each teacher otherwise they'd have got a detention.

Children do fall far behind from a week long holiday. Last year a child in my class missed a week that was the beginning of a maths topic. He really struggled when he returned as everyone had moved on and he was confused. We tried to help him but with a large class and other children with significant needs it’s only possible to do so much. It massively affected his confidence.

I’d probably avoid taking them out for the full 10 sessions but, 3 days on either side of half term (so you’re only missing 3 not more) can often reduce cost by at least a few grand.

for instance we’re going Tuesday 27th may to 3rd June , 5 star AI and we’re paying £2400 but the Saturday to Saturday was close to £4k

I would just point out that the school has no choice on this - the law is set by the government and all the school does is pass the info to the local authority who then makes the decision whether to fine or not.

The latest guidelines are cracking down on those who do it every year. Penalty notices for term time holidays can be issued a maximum of two times within three years. Other tools such as prosecution should be used after a third holiday absence in three years.

I think in secondary your more likely to be fined. I would take mine out until year 9. Year 10 i wouldnt due to GCSEs and year 11 theyre finished before the summer holidays anyway so isnt so much of an issue.

I do value my childrens education, however i also value my money and £5-6k for the same holiday thats £3k in term time makes a huge difference. I just factor the fine (if i get one) into my holiday cost. I only usually take them out once a year and either holiday in the Uk( camping/caravan) or at my family abroad for other holidays.

I think it is getting harder to lie. Schools now phone you daily. They are wise to the foreign ring tone. Kids talk. I am often told by kids that x is on holiday etc etc. The school will then ask you to prove you were at home. A holiday is meant to be relaxing. It wouldn't be very relaxing trying to dodge calls and lie. If you really want to I would instead be honest but go for a day or two before a school holiday so you don't trigger a fine and the kids don't miss too much.

If you do four days (8 sessions) or less you won’t be fined. If you do five days you are. It’s £160 for first fine. If you repeat within 3 years it’s £320. If you do a third holiday in three years it goes to court.

I’d do it if you feel comfortable. I do it. Not for 2 weeks but for 3 days once a year. Maybe 1 day another time. No one dies. They don’t get behind. In any case, they’re thriving. We are in an outstanding secondary school. They’re in set 1 for everything. Slightly awkward ringing in for them both being “sick”. Pretty sure my kids won’t become criminals or compulsive liars because I bunked them off school 3 days a year (every year since they’ve been 4) 🙄

Are you in Scotland? Schools don't fine here but holidays are still put down as unauthorised absence.

Attendance guidelines are strict - there will be an attendance officer whose job this is and it will be reported. First time is usually a fine but second or third time can be taken to court

The current position is that schools don't support taking children out of education for a holiday. There are always going to be exceptional circumstances where it is supported but by and large requests at our primary are refused.

We obviously cannot stop it, but it is hugely disruptive. Children follow a curriculum where they are taught a concept, it's then expanded upon, absorbed and becomes the foundation for the next step in the curriculum.

Think about the impact that this has cumulatively on the attainment of the class, if there are several parents who take children out of school in term time - however you frame it. the teacher is going to have to re-teach the children in their class so they are achieving to the best of their ability.

Schools don't set the prices for holidays - that's something outside of their control.