To take them out of school for three days?

[lisad123]

I know this is going to divide all or turn into a bun fight, but I'm strong and have helmet and popcorn ready :)
I have two girls who we would like to take to Disneyland Paris. Dd1 will be in year 5 and dd2 will be in reception. They both have autism and don't manage large crowds and noise too well.
I have looked at school holidays but friend made it clear that the whole of France is on holiday in aug! Weekends are mad busy and we are better to go midweek.
Do I go knowing we might get fined from school but know the girls will have a better time OR risk the school holidays??

I work in a school and requested 2 weeks special leave for a wedding abroad (my own). The head authorised it so i went ahead and booked it.
School git the call that OFSTED were coming during my time away. I was delighted to have missed them but I reckon the head regretted allowing me to have the time off.

If she had said no, I wouldn't have been happy but i would have accepted it due to the amount of holidays we get.

Sorry I misinterpreted the bit about being an unreasonable head - it's late and I'm doing this in between contractions

@ ilovebeingananna - from your other posts, I've worked out that we're in the same county i think! Small world isn't it?!

I'm vice chair of governing body at my local school and we get a lot of requests for TA unpaid leave, 99.9% which are agreed. A common misconception is that the head decides who gets leave and who doesn't, yet IME from all the schools whose governing bodies I've sat on, both in the city and the county, the head refers the requests to the govs for their input and a final decision!

Yes, you are right Babylon1, GBs make the decision. However, the HT generally makes a recommendation. In exceptional cases due to time constraints, the HT can make the decision.

And wow Babylon1 - wishing you a wonderful birth! Stay strong there girl :o

I've not fully read the thread. I gather they have autism and they've expressed that they want to go. Yes, I would.

I would have a think before you go about the experience they want. Are they wanting to meet and greet, go on few gentle rides and have a nice wander. Or are they wanting ALL the rides? It may help you plan the type of hotel, meal plan etc

To put that in context - When we went I had an older one who had just discovered roller coasters. A younger one who hated any ride, yes even the Dumbo. Neither were interested in anything "Disney". We planned it to military precision, one took one son, the other took the other.... It would have been easier if they were into Disney, they didn't want shows, or fireworks. Apart from the Stunt Show in the studio side.

We went for cheapest hotel deal and careful planning of rides. If we had different children more time at a hotel with pool would have been ideal.

homemadechutney "This issue of taking a child out of school in term time, and the consequent uproar seems to be a very British thing" is definitey not true. Authorities in Germany, Switzerland etc all impose substantial fines for non-attendance and term time breaks. Parents have to write to the school board for permission a specified time in advance and even then it is usually a resounding NO. Far more Draconian than UK.

if they don't like crowds, why are you taking them to Disneyland?! It will still be busy

and to revert to Lisa, the characters are in full costume so you only see a human element in the princesses, Peter Pan etc. NT dd at age of 2 was terrified of the likes of Winnie the Pooh and a character breakfast was a difficult experience. I'd really clarify with your dd's what it is that they want to do and expect otherwise I can see them being entranced by the idea of Disney but finding the experience (continuous piped music, loud noises and surprise experiences as you walk through, rides which throw you in strange directions, seemingly uncontrolled, often in the dark with sudden noises and flashing lights, parades) overwhelming and stressful. You also get characters popping up at the Disney hotels and venues.

Also, I think you mentioned you were getting the train? If so, you need to be aware that the Davy Crockett ranch isn't on site, and there are no shuttle buses, so you really need a car.

Interesting how different heads behave . Ds3 head is all for it and when mentioned thinking about CP as a break recommended term time and said she be pleased as ds3 will be able to spend time swimming a lot which is good fir his muscle strength And has already agreed a2 week trip to Florida sep 2013)

But then LA will not provide transport at anything other than the morning /afternoon . So a 30 min appointment means whole day of ( 31/2hrs by public transport each way plus 24 hrs minimum notice for me to book travel assistance ) . So I figure the truant officer not got leg to stand on

@babylon hope you have a lovely birth I am not in the county that the NT properties are in mentioned in other post.

Well, the language dept. at work take pupils to Disneyland Paris each year, in term time for a trip.
As does my friend's DD's primary school.
They go on the coach & ferry straight to and from Disneyland.
DH's language dept. does the same.

OP, GO!