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, unless exceptional circa.

Yes, or holidays should not increase by thousands just because in is the school holidays.

Yes

yes in exceptional circumstances. including no time off for parents at other times or those who would not be able to afford to go away at all in school holidays. those who have family abroad and need to visit for something significant. ie going bck to how it was...

Yes, provided attendance is previously good and children are only out of school for a week.
I also don't think it should be every year.

yes assuming attendance generally good.
This would remove a lot of price pressure on holidays.

I do like the idea of staggered holidays by county as well, though.

No, unless it's urgent family circumstances and then the HT should be able to exercise discretion.

Yes.

My DDs have impeccable attendance and often during the last week of terms are watching films, doing crosswords/wordsearches, sharpening pencils etc.
I do not undervalue their education (really, I don't), but I most certainly do not appreciate being dictated what I can do with my children and when. Besides, one of my DDs teachers is off sick at least 5 days a term and they have to use supply teachers (not even the same one) so whoever says 'but what would you say if their teachers decide to not turn up for a week' I'd say 'well, when they don't, they get a supply in'. Deal with it.

Yes.

Funnily enough, I think parents should get to decide these things for their children.

No.

Yes if attendance is otherwise good. I also would like to see this rule challenged under the European Courts laws about a right to family life. I think it would be easily challenged. Not that I know much about legal things.

It is so unfair to say that if your grades are good you can go. So only if you're clever?!

Yes.

And what are 'urgent family circumstances' anyway? Weddings? Not really urgent or compulsory are they? Funerals/sick relatives? In those circumstances, I'd take my bloody kids out of school regardless of whether or not they said I could. I trust my own judgements as a parent thankyou very much.

YES!

No

No.

No.

No.

Yes

It's school, not prison. The obsession with attendance over content is crazy.

Yes for primary school. Secondary school maybe only 2 or 3 days per year, and not near exam time.

No - teaches children all the wrong lessons.

No,i think parents should put a case across but it not be an expected thing.

No, but it should be allowed for exceptional.circumstances.

deakymom

yes if you have high attendance and your above average in your work a week won't hurt you

So my ds1, who has 100% attendance this academic year, wouldnt be allowed because he's struggling to stay at an average level? How unfair!

Yes - of course it is.

I cannot see why it should not be OK for a family to take their own child on a holiday! Of course if they were out of school for several weeks at a time it would possibly impact on their education but a one or two week holiday seems fine.

I can't see how that would be a huge impact especially weighed against what they would experience and learn on holiday!