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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:
TheRealMaryMillington · 15/06/2014 23:16

It is very tempting, I know.

IMO it's not about the fine, it's about supporting the school, ultimately the school will get rapped knuckles if people keep on taking Unauthorised Absence. Also its stuff like this that leads to pressurised Head Teachers losing perspective and not allowing kids to go to funerals/getting shirty with people with hospital appointments….

I do think the lack of flexibility these days is bollocks, as it the price hikes for school holidays, but none the less….

dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:16

It doesn't really make a difference how many children there is, it's wrong to take them out. Just because other people do it doesn't mean it's okay.

AnyoneForTennis · 15/06/2014 23:17

Plenty of people don't do it though..... You can have a half term holiday for one week elsewhere. But no.... You want 2 weeks to 'sightsee' in an expensive place

You sound greedy

ILoveCoreyHaim · 15/06/2014 23:17

My head was fine with me taking 3 dds out for a week 2 year ago as had 100% attendance, they also 2dds were taken out for a week the 2 year before that as it's the only time someone out the group of 20 or so who go can get holidays. They go abroad with in ex laws every 2 years something I could never afford. The years they are not abroad I take them in school holidays on a caravan park in the UK. Not sure what will happen this time with the fines or if she will be able to let them go. 2 were off for a wedding last week and she authorised the holiday. She seemed fine with it as otherwise attendance is fine.

WorraLiberty · 15/06/2014 23:18

It really wouldn't surprise me if the fines increase massively soon.

They're going to have to, to stop parents flouting the rules and simply factoring in the cost of the fine, with their holiday budget.

Why are you looking at holidays you can't afford to take?

This is what I don't get? How do parents even know the cost of a term time holiday unless they still see them as a perfectly valid option?

If I only had enough money to buy a second hand Ford KA. I wouldn't be looking at the price of a new BMW, because what would be the point?

ILoveCoreyHaim · 15/06/2014 23:19

Ops sorry phone. They have been taken out for a week twice in the last 4 years to go on big family holiday taken every 2 years.

AnyoneForTennis · 15/06/2014 23:19

What year is he? When are SATS?

dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:21

Anyone She said he'll be in year 3, sats are year6

SuburbanRhonda · 15/06/2014 23:23

These threads always go the same way - OP asks if they are being unreasonable, some people say don't go, some people say do go, then the OP disappears and you know they're just going to do it anyway.

Just remember, OP - the only person who loses something because of this family holiday is your DS, everyone else gains a holiday and he loses four days of school. You will get people on here telling you the holiday is educational and children need "down time" (yes, in addition to the 39 weeks they already get!) and if your DS normally has good attendance you have every right to go.

So just work out what's more important to you and go with that.

SuburbanRhonda · 15/06/2014 23:24

And there are SATs at the end of Year 2, diet, but he will already have done those.

NotACinderella · 15/06/2014 23:24

Do it. Ask permission.

Our school does give it now and again. In the big scheme of things (length of life) four days off school are nothing, the memories of a holiday will outweight those, especially at that age. Especially when the few days before half term the kessons are very relaxed anyway.

I disagree, holidays abroad, or not, are very important, but then again dh calls me "the holiday queen" so my view could be biased. Grin

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:25

He's in year 2 now anyonefortennis.
Okay I'm obviously very greedy, I'm sorry but £3700 over £5500 is a massive difference for a few days.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 15/06/2014 23:25

I don't see why parents think good attendance buys them some sort of license to then take their kids on holiday, when they should be attending school?

Do the same people chuck a sickie at work because they haven't taken any time off sick for a while?

It's mind boggling.

NotACinderella · 15/06/2014 23:26

Ahahah suburban, and here I come saying exactly that "holidays are educational".

SuburbanRhonda · 15/06/2014 23:27

Especially when the few days before half term the kessons are very relaxed anyway.

This is just not true in a good school.

SuburbanRhonda · 15/06/2014 23:28

£3700 for a holiday? Shock

Any chance you could set your sights a bit lower and keep your DS in school, OP?

WorraLiberty · 15/06/2014 23:28

Head teachers are no longer allowed to grant permission for holidays.

This came into force last September.

In certain circumstances, they can authorise absence for travel abroad/other absence...but simply going on holiday is something they are no longer allowed to grant absence for.

dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:30

But I still don't understand why you can't just go somewhere cheaper. Of all the holiday destinations Cyprus is fairly expensive. If it's sightseeing your after then go to a city for a few days and don't blow £3700 that you clearly can't afford.

AnyoneForTennis · 15/06/2014 23:31

The heads up from a head teacher I know is to brace yourselves...... The LEA are going to tighten up as parents are just not taking notice

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:32

But we can afford £3700 just not £5500 to go 4 days earlier!

OP posts:
NotACinderella · 15/06/2014 23:33

Ours did, this year. Not to us, we didn't need it but to a friend. A full week on top of the two at easter Shock imagine that! Obviously they had reasons to ask at that particular time but it was for a long holiday. So I guess it is discretionary.

Our head does understand for example that going abroad too see family is important and so he is willing to give the odd day here and there to bring the price down.

Madness for some, perfectly reasonable to me.

WorraLiberty · 15/06/2014 23:34

Therefore you can't afford the holiday because you have a child of school age.

dietcokeandcadburys · 15/06/2014 23:34

Tough shit, everyone else has to pay to go in the holidays. Go somewhere cheaper. What's the point in asking MN what you should do if you're completely set on taking him out anyway?

Original poster
The3Bears · 15/06/2014 23:35

So why do i still see so many children that are off school for holidays in term time where my child goes to school, do they just pay the fine and thats it?? I'm going to ask them, i know one of ds1 friends who had over a week off while they were in Cuba and apparently the school were fine with it?

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 15/06/2014 23:35

That is what iwas meaning little Emma has never been off schoolanx is doing well sonis it ok to take her on holiday, well no its not ok but doit if you want