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

[The3Bears]

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
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
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

[Igggi]

Suburbanrhonda, 39 weeks of holiday? haven't you got that the wrong way round? They'd only be in school for 13 weeks!

[melissa83]

We have taken two seperate foriegn hols in term time so far this academic year alone. I would definitely go

[SuburbanRhonda]

Yes, iggi, you're right

And I manage attendance in one of my schools, too

[SuburbanRhonda]

To be fair, one of our children does do it that way round, though ...

[melissa83]

I also went on holiday more than once in term time every year, and even took 3 whole months off in year 10. I still went on to study to masters level etc. I really dont think it matters

[dietcokeandcadburys]

melissa clearly you must be very intelligent then, if my DD missed 3 months of year 10 atm she would miss at least one unit of each science, so 1/3rd of her science gcse's. And English and history controlled assessments. If she misses a day of school she has to go to catch up sessions after school and at lunch time. We were thinking of going away at half term but DD didn't want to come as it would mean her missing 2 days of school, so 12 lessons to catch up on.

[SuburbanRhonda]

It clearly does matter if you still can't use punctuation properly, melissa.

[tiredofthesameoldshite]

We've just paid 3100 for 10 days in Lanzarote, 4 adults and 2 kids so it can be done...and that's for the first week of the summer holidays.

OP, just do it.

[ErruptionOnMyShoulder]

With your budget OP you have plenty of scope to go elswhere for a family holiday during the school holidays - it's not a case of it being the only way your family can get a holiday so I think you would be really wrong to put the holiday above school.

Schools are under huge pressure from local authorities to raise school attendence, it is out of the hands of the head. The LA will decide if they issue a fine or not and each has a different policy. There are families who decide to ignore the rules, there are some families who don't get any leave in the school holidays who take the decision that a holiday is needed for the family due to their personal circumstances.

I took dd out of school for the first day back after christmas as we had the opportunity to take an unexpected holiday in spain with ds who is disabled - he missed no school as his first day back was an inset day - we took the decision that a weeks holiday in the sun would be of such benefit to DS and be special family time that it was worth dd missing one day. DDs School were supportive but it will still show as unauthorised, it would be highly unlikely for my LA to take action over this as they take a sympathetic stance to families who have children with special needs. It would be churlish to fine the family of a classmate of ds who are taking their life limited severly disabled child to Disney during termtime.

[SuburbanRhonda]

melissa, I'm guessing you had three months of in Year 10 because you were unwell, rather than because you went on a cheaper holiday?

[melissa83]

I just think its ridiculous not allowing people to travel in term time. I had been all around the world by age 16 and nearly all in term time. I am doing the same with my own children and the school are not bothered

[melissa83]

No I just had 3 months off as I moved so I spent all day on the beach. I still left with plenty of qualifications.

[SuburbanRhonda]

i had been all around the world by age 16 and nearly all in term time

I just had 3 months off as I moved so I spent all day on the beach

Please explain now this worked in practice. It sounds unbelievable, tbh.

[SuburbanRhonda]

*how

[dietcokeandcadburys]

You might think differently if you were paying for your children's education...oh wait, you are in taxes. People take education for granted so much.

[melissa83]

I live near a beach so moved to an area where there was no space to be able to attend a school so had to wait until the sept. I was in the uk during that time but over the course of my schooling my parents were always on late deals around the world.

[oolaroola]

I don't understand why anyone thinks these arbitrary, controlling attendance rules are a good idea.
Why would the state/ school know what's better for your children than you?
It's ridiculous all this hoo ha about attendance, just do what you think is right OP. Heaven forbid if people think for themselves or excercise a bit of judgement. Struth!

[melissa83]

I dont understand how people can think its a good idea for children to never travel and live a restricted life never seeing the world. Of course education is important but comes in many forms. I have learnt a lot seeing so many destinations and learning about their culture and way of life than I have ever done in a classroom.

[SuburbanRhonda]

melissa, you're saying that you moved to an area of the UK where there was no place in the local school and your parents were happy for you to spend April, May and June on the beach every day in Year 10, i.e. the first year of GCSEs?

The LA would have offered you a place in another school and if your parents didn't accept it or educate you at home, they would have been fined

[EhricLovesTheBhrothers]

Meh, I would (and have, not for a holiday exactly, but still)

How exactly are local authorities going to 'crack down'? They already have powers to fine. Are they going to double or triple the fines? Prosecute parents for a one off? Totally disproportionate and would not happen. I'm also curious to know what happens if a parent refuses to pay the fine and goes to court. Has this happened since Gove's changes?

[dietcokeandcadburys]

You can travel in school holidays and at long weekends, that's what they're for. It's certainly possible to see the world and not miss school.

[SuburbanRhonda]

melissa, do come and talk to some of the families I work with as a family support worker in two schools.

I'm sure they would be delighted to be enlightened by your views about parents' obligations to take their children travelling around the world.

[melissa83]

We werent fined but my mum didnt say I had permanently moved from the off. I first went down with just my mum with a month off and was meant to come back and live with my nan for 6 weeks. However we were getting the house prepared so I didnt go back and by the time it I had permanently settled it was too late.

[dietcokeandcadburys]

Ehric If you don't pay the fine within 28 days you can get fined £2500 or a community order or jail sentence of up to 3 months and a parenting order government website with info on absence fines

[melissa83]

Of course not all can afford it but that doesnt the opportunities arent fantastic fot children.