Taking DC abroad in an exam year?

[EdnaBraithwaite]

If they have GCSEs or important exams in the summer do you still take them away in Christmas or Easter? Or do you do the family holiday in the summer?

I have a Y11. She missed the first 4 days of term in September as we went on a late August holiday. There were revision sessions held in October, none at Christmas or February but then she had 2 weeks of Easter school and the sessions are on again this week.

We did a UK break at Easter. Dd took some revision with her and was in a good routine of getting up early to do some each day.

We went away Feb half term and then at Easter just did 3 nights with only the exam child in the country of the language they studied. Works as both a treat and a boot camp getting them talking, reading etc.

As PP said, depends on when mocks are. When DS was in year 13, we went away in February half term (his A level mocks were in January). DD did GCSEs last year, we went away at Christmas as her main mocks were late November/early December and then she had a second set for core subjects after Feb half term.

Definitely a no to Easter, because they were both well into revision by then and their schools had revision sessions over the Easter holidays.

Just wait until the summer.
Schools usually have Easter revision sessions. Sometimes even may half term.

We’ve booked holiday for after the exams end but before main school holidays start. I’d have taken her away at Christmas but not after that this year as it has been a bit intense. This week is revision although I am taking her out for her birthday this week and to give her a break.

We took DS1 away for a weekend at the start of the Easter holidays for 3 nights. DS2 didn't want to. Both of ours had mocks after the Christmas break.

I’ve been thinking about this for next year when my eldest will be year 11. It’s all very well saying they have 10 weeks after exams, but we have a younger child so it’s actually only a few weeks after term finishes in July and then we need to be back for results day. We normally go away last two weeks of August because my work is super busy last two weeks of July and first two weeks of August. Not quite sure when we will get away next year! Am thinking maybe a few uk days at Easter, then a week early in the summer holidays and a week right at the end after results. Hmm.

Depends on the child. If they are quite anxious and studious they will hate going away at Easter. More confident academic ones might be ok. I world be wary about booking then - a friend had to pull out of her group mother daughter trip with some others as her Dd was too stressed about revision. The other two girls were fine with taking a few days off.