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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think its unfair that its 'term time' holidays or no holidays for alot of familes?

153 replies

TotorosOcarina · 08/03/2011 14:08

So they can either run the risk of getting a fine and a bollocking or them, and their kids get no holiday at all?

I'm talking about myself here Grin

We don't do holidays abroad, we don't even do nice cottage holidays.

The last few years we have gone to Haven for 4 nights ina caravan. And the kids bloody love it.

2 years ago we just had DS1 in nursery so went in term time.

Last year we only had DS in school, in reception, so he had 5 days off 'sick' and we went in term time.

This year we have 2 kids in school and I don't think we can risk taking them both out.

If we went in a few weeks time, term time, it would be £99 for 4 nights in a 'superior' caravan.

If we go in either the easter holidays or anytime from june onwards its nearer to £500.

I just think its unfair.

I'm not sure WHO i am saying is being unfair. The schools for having a blanket policy on no holidays (my kids never have time off, i can see them not allowing families who continually have time off for their kids) or the holiday companies who increase the prices 5 fold when school closes.

I just feel sad.

My kids don't really do much. We live in Manchester, have no car, don't have spare money very often and when we do its £1 cinema and a 2 for 1 pub lunch that we go for.

These little holidays really are the highlight of the year for them and I don't think we can do it this year.

OP posts:
Desperateforthinnerthighs · 08/03/2011 14:13

I agree - I seriously believe that as a responsible parent we can decide whether our DC's can afford to have time off school, esp when they are so young. MY DS's school authorise 10 days holiday time per year and we always use it all up!!! Of course, when he is older and doing exams etc etc we wont but for now I really cant see a problem...he is 8 BTW

Do the school not authorise anything at all?? Would they fine you for sure?? Yours kids are really young, I really cant see they are gonna miss anything life changing!!

You are right, it is unfair but I suppose some people flout the rules and take the piss and ruin it for everyone else

Ormirian · 08/03/2011 14:15

I thought there was an 'allowance' (for want of a better word) for holidays from school? Isn't that the case?

ObscureReference · 08/03/2011 14:16

I am in the same position as you , OP. no way can I afford holidays at holiday time prices. :( So, because the dcs school is so anal about attendance, we just dont go on holidays :(

But then, I also understand the other side re planning and gaps in education and inconsistency in class sizes etc etc etc for teachers as well. But still makes me :(

Original poster
TotorosOcarina · 08/03/2011 14:17

We get a school newsletter every friday, in the corner its says this week attendance is xyz% - we aim for qrs%, please note we will not authorise any holidays in term time and we aim to fine parents who continue to take their children out in term time (not those exact words but basically that)

OP posts:
mankyscotslass · 08/03/2011 14:18

Orm, it's 10 days at the heads discretion, and meant to cover exceptional circs.

ObscureReference · 08/03/2011 14:20

Heads discretion..HA! Basically he will say no to pretty much anything!!

practicallyimperfect · 08/03/2011 14:20

Holidays aren't a human right though. I'm a teacher and haven't been away for 5 years as we can't afford it.

ObscureReference · 08/03/2011 14:21

Practically. I am not saying it is a human right? I was saying I was :( that I cant provide the same term holiday excitement for my children as other parents due to the cost. FWIW we have NEVER had a holiday. As we cant afford it!

catsmother · 08/03/2011 14:21

I can't even afford term time holidays right now :( but fully support those who wish to take their kids away during term time, PROVIDING the school has been given reasonable notice and the parent is willing to accept responsibility for supervising any work felt necessary to catch up, providing it's no more than 10 days a year and providing it's not immediately before or during important exams.

Original poster
TotorosOcarina · 08/03/2011 14:22

Who's talking baout human rights?

You sound like you really need one!

OP posts:
Bramshott · 08/03/2011 14:22

How about a tent?! Sorry, that sounds flippant, but there are no easy answers. School holiday prices are higher because there is greater demand, pure and simple.

Fimbo · 08/03/2011 14:22

I agree with you. We are going to Center Parcs in Belgium. The CP sites abroad only run week holidays either from Friday to Friday or Monday to Monday. We are going Friday to Friday. I will fill in a holiday form for ds as he is at first school, we have a new head so don't know what the reaction will be, the old head would have been fine about it.

DD however is at High School and that is a whole different story. They are not allowed any time off for anything ever. Our flight times changed last year and "unless I could prove that the times had been changed" then it was going down as an unauthorised absence on my dd's record. Luckily I could prove it with an email but this went back and forth by letter for days on end! Plus to add insult to injury one of the letters they sent had not been franked and I had to pay the PO to receive it. Not going through all that hassle again this year and will be phoning dd in sick. Very wrong I know but I am left with no other choice apart from not going on holiday of course!

TheDogsBollocks · 08/03/2011 14:23

Just take both your dc on the cheap hol. If you are likely to get fined, then take them both 'sick'. Maybe not the best thing in many peoples eyes, but you don't really have any choice, and i would do EXACTLY that in your shoes.

jaffacake79 · 08/03/2011 14:23

Our schools' policy is to not permit holidays unless in exceptional circumstances - a wedding, a funeral, religious holiday, or the parents work in an industry that has a "shutdown" period (they have no choice when they are made to take holiday).

Seeing as they get negative feedback from Ofsted if the attendance is too low you can hardly blame them for trying to ensure they have the highest attendance possible.

rasta · 08/03/2011 14:23

YANBU, I agree it is unfair for those who fall into the financial situation.

Original poster
TotorosOcarina · 08/03/2011 14:23

Maybe someone should be working towards making travel companies keep prices realistic during holiday time then?

OP posts:
BaroqueAroundTheClock · 08/03/2011 14:24

Forget Haven - and other places where you book direct with the park owners, websites like www.directholidayhomes.co.uk and the way to go - if you're not fussy about where it is, and are happy to find your own entertaiment (although a one day pass for the park facilities are usualy pretty cheap too)

These people www.blueribandholidays.co.uk are a bit far from you if you're using public transport - but might be useful for someone else. They only have 3 weeks where one of their properties is over £500 for a full week - the rest are under £500 and pretty good (used them 3yrs ago).

Or can you beg/borrow/steal (or buy a cheap one) a tent and go camping for a few days?

I'm currently sitting trying to plan my dirty cheap summer holiday this year too

KnittedBreast · 08/03/2011 14:26

it is very unfair. but then i would quite happily take my children out of school to get a cheaper holiday if its the only way too afford, which in fact i will be doing this year.

cant wait either

i know that dousnt sound very good but they benefit so much from it its absolutly worth it

KidderminsterKate · 08/03/2011 14:26

I think you should still ask the head teacher and explain the situation and see what they say?

I managed to get a log cabin in devon for a week for £300 in august last year. they still rent it out for that...its a little drive from the beach but in a lovely spot and on a farm. PM me if you want the details.

KnittedBreast · 08/03/2011 14:27

oooh i could get by on the shut down period...

GypsyMoth · 08/03/2011 14:29

How about the sun £9.50 holidays?

I have 5 dc all in either a pre school,lower school, one in the middle school, one at an upper school and one in 6th form college!!! 5 different schools, 5 different head teachers. All different criteria to meet.

jeee · 08/03/2011 14:29

I once read something that talked of the 'wow' factor affecting the exercise of the head teacher's discretion - basically, wealthier parents explaining that their DC will be visiting the Angkor Wat - which is fine because the head goes 'wow'. In contrast the parent who wants a week off to take their child to Haven/Butlins will be told that they're not taking their child's education seriously.

mummyosaurus · 08/03/2011 14:30

YANBU.

We have a tent which we take to Haven and similar places. It is still expensive, have paid £280, to pitch a medium size tent, for a week in August, but we can run to it whereas a caravan would have been a ridiculous £700.

Original poster
TotorosOcarina · 08/03/2011 14:30

We go to Haven because my Dad can drop us off and pick us up, we go self catering so he takes us the buggies, shopping etc... we couldn't do it on public transport. We have 3 under 6 and am pregnant too so we need to go there to be able to get a lift.

Plus there are several good days out within bus distance to the park.

OP posts:
ambarth · 08/03/2011 14:31

YANBU As a parent I should be able to decide whether a child would be able to have a holiday and not fall behind.

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