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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DS out of school for 4 days next year?

397 replies

The3Bears · 15/06/2014 22:54

We came back from our family summer holiday last Sunday, 2 weeks in Cyprus at the Holiday village and we absolutely loved it so want to book again asap while we can benefit from the free child place as ds2 is 2 next year so we will have to pay for him too. We went on the 24th May this year and our holiday cost a fortune, no free child place and £1600pp aswell as our wedding in Cyprus on top of this Smile
So we had a look and it's over £1000 cheaper to leave on Thurs the 28th May next year and a free child space but ds1 whose 7 and will start Juniors next year will miss 4-5 days off school and I'm unsure wether to book. We've never had a holiday in term time before and his attendance is great, he's doing really well with all his work and with how much everything cost this year we'd be unable to pay extra to go on the 24th this year so would have to miss out Sad
IABU if i book this holiday as I'm feeling really unsure about it all and would like some advice as to what you would all do?
TIA

OP posts:
Littlefish · 15/06/2014 22:58

Book it if you are happy to pay the fine. Find out whether the fine would be less than the savings you would make by taking him out.

How did you manage to have a 2 week holiday in term time this year? Presumably one week of it was at half term, but what about the other week?

AnyoneForTennis · 15/06/2014 23:02

Everyone still seems to be thinking this way.... I have a feeling that by next year they will have clamped down even further as the message just doesn't seem to be getting through

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:02

Ds1 was of school for 2 weeks from 23rd may to 9th June, as were all other schools in our area NW.
I think the fine would be £120 so definitely worth it but I'm worried about the school frowning upon it, I know lots of other parents that book holidays in term time so I'm not sure what I'm so worried about.

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 15/06/2014 23:04

It doesn't matter how well your child is doing I know you are trying to make it sound better you are still taking them out of school for a holiday I have taken ddsout 3 timesI in all their school life one was authorised 2 were not its ip to you it could be come a habit though of cheap deals iyswim,

dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:05

How did you just get back from a 2 week holiday? Half term is only a week long. If you're ok with paying the fine then go for it, but your DS will have to catch up on work at school so don't blame the teacher if he falls behind. (Not saying that missing a week will cause him to do this, just that some parents do tend to complain about DC being behind when it's their fault they weren't at school participating in lessons)

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:05

If we could afford the extra £1500 to take them for the full half term then we certainly would but unfortunately thats not the case Anyonefortennis.
Maybe we should leave it for next year then, such a shame as they absolutely loved it and ds1 hasn't stopped talking about going again.

OP posts:
dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:06

Sorry, just saw your update about the length of half term, lucky you! :)

Wolfiefan · 15/06/2014 23:06

If you can't afford it then don't go. If you don't care if he misses school and can afford to be fined then do go.
HTH

Mrsjayy · 15/06/2014 23:06

Of course the school will frown o it they want their pupils there all term and not to be jetting off to the sun for a fortnight

SoonToBeSix · 15/06/2014 23:07

Check your la rules , our only fines for ten sessions so five days unauthorised absence perm term so you would be fine. My la is in the north west incidentally.

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:07

We've never pulled him out before though its just that this year is going to be tough with what we've had to pay for the wedding, dietcokeandcadburys may half term is 2 weeks here in the NW england for primary children.

OP posts:
dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:07

So how long would you be going on holiday for next year? If 2 weeks again could you just go 1 to halve the price?

AnyoneForTennis · 15/06/2014 23:07

You had 2 weeks at half term??

Parents aren't listening to the school/LEA. It's only a matter of time before it toughens up further. I know a head teacher who has this view ( this is what she's told us)

SoonToBeSix · 15/06/2014 23:08

Per not perm!

SoonToBeSix · 15/06/2014 23:08

Anyone some school had only one week for spring break.

BikeRunSki · 15/06/2014 23:09

A few places have 2 week half terms in Mat. Hangover from the days of factory closures.

OP, I thought the fine was £60 per parent per day?

dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:09

You can hardly complain about not being able to afford a holiday if you've just had your wedding in Cryprus. Holidays are nice but they're not essential, especially foreign ones YABU

BeckAndCall · 15/06/2014 23:09

Why not go for one week, then you don't have the problem??

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:09

Thanks soontobesix I'll check that, Ive never had a look before as we've never had a holiday in term time before.

OP posts:
dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:10

Just because you've never taken them out of school before doesn't mean you're now entitled to do it

SoonToBeSix · 15/06/2014 23:11

Bike I always understood it to be per absence not per day.

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:12

Ok, ok IABU obviously was only asking for some advice.

Beckandcall the price of one week there isn't much less than 2 and we wanted to do a lot of sightseeing as we didn't get to this year with all our family and friends there.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 15/06/2014 23:14

I thought the fine was per parent per session (am and pm)

But that is not the point. The point is that kids should be at school (unless you choose to home ed) and parents taking their kids out for a week of school plays havoc with the planing the teacher has to do.

Want a cheap holiday? Try a staycation.

Disclaimer. Tonight I may have the rage!!

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:14

ds1 is 7 ds2 is 1 so it isn't a case of pulling 2 children out of school dietcokeandcadburys, just ds1 for 4 days didn't really think 4 days was too bad when plenty of people do it for the full holiday.

OP posts:
Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:15

However point made I see what most people are saying and sorry i asked.

OP posts: