OK, one vote each...

[ClockWatchingLady]

Should schools/LEAs allow parents to take children out of school for a holiday (once per year, say) during term time?

There's been plenty of debate already, so let's just have a little show of hands so we can count up...

I say YES.

No: 106 (42%)
Yes: 148 (58%)

So the clamp-down on holidays is unpopular with the majority of people on here. And if this is representative or, as it's been suggested, there is a bias towards "no" on MN, then perhaps we can trust that the current level of control is unacceptable to the majority.
Obviously this type of unpopularity isn't unusual, but I find it interesting for any set of rules in a supposed democracy.

I'm not sure this is about whether a holiday is a "right" or not. I think it's more to do with parents choosing what is best for their kids' own wellbeing.

(OK, obviously that's not ALL it's about. Also the emphasis on academic education above more general wellbeing, happiness, etc., and lots of other stuff. Sorry to get back into discussion on what was intended as a simple voting thread... ).

Only if I can also take dh out!

Seriously, why should everyone else get to take advantage of cheap holidays and teachers not?

I suppose OP, it depends on whether you think MN is a typical representation of the country.

You've only had 250 votes-that's isn't a huge number in relation to the number of parents with school age children in the country, tbh !

Hi Bowler. Absolutely agree. As I say, all this is IF (and it's a big "if") our "sample" (sounds a bit too official, I know) is representative (or - for the conclusion I tentatively suggested - there's a bias to "no" on MN).

Was just interested in this after reading some comments on other threads where people were saying they felt their views were in the MN majority. Just thought we could test that. And I think it's interesting.

Oh that's interesting. You think MNers are more likely to say 'no', than country wide voters would? Why? (Genuine question-not being difficult!) do you think a typical MNer is more of a conformist, or better off, or another reason? (So many questions, I'm not demanding an answer, just if you can be bothered)

Yes.

Yes.

Although we never have. It used to be allowed at dc's school - it was only about 3yrs ago they changed the policy.

Bowlers - I do think MN is a good representation of the country (well, mainly the female bit) but I'm not sure that AIBU is!! This topic is well known for attracting arsy types…

YES!

Yes

no

Yes.

No, but it should be allowed for special occasions.

Yes despite now been able to take term time holidays myself... I do think there is a difference between primary and secondry too

Yes

Yes, with the head's discretion and not in years 10-13.

I don't think it's fair to say only with good grades and good attendance - what about those with lower IQs or genuine reasons for missing school. You can't deny a holiday based on intelligence or health of a child!

I think the new policy is another way to narrow the experiences and horizons of state school educated children when compared to private. I work in a private school and, not only do we get longer holidays anyway, but several children are missing at the beginnings and ends of terms and half terms to enable them to take longer, cheaper and more exotic holidays. We also have to set work and help them catch up on return because the parents have paid for the education. So the children get better access to holidays and miss out on less education (not sure why so many teachers on this thread seem unwilling to set the child work for the holiday).

No.

No

No

Absolutely, yes