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AIBU?

To take kids out of school in term time?

137 replies

AtSea1979 · 17/08/2014 11:20

I know this has probably been done to death but couldn't find it.
2 DC, yr 1 & 5.
Want to take them out for a week in November, offer came up for holiday, not exceptional circumstance. Not available in half term.

OP posts:

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morethanpotatoprints · 17/08/2014 13:31

I don't believe in taking dc out of school for holidays unless of course exceptional circumstances, to which I am sympathetic.
it is the same rule for everyone, take too much time off and you face a fine or visit from EWO depending on your circumstances.

Just to those who said school isn't optional it is, but of course if you are registered you have to abide by the rules.
If you don't want to abide by the rules then you need to deregister and H.ed then you can go on holiday when you like.

allisgood1 · 17/08/2014 13:32

Oh god. Here come the judgy pants.

It's up to you. If you want to do it just expect to pay the fine. I won't judge you either way

wanderingcloud · 17/08/2014 13:37

Totally agree with the above. It's your decision but go into it with your eyes open knowing ypu may well be fined. If you're happy with that it's no-one elses business. Oh and don't blame the teachers if your children fall behind and can't catch up.

SuburbanRhonda · 17/08/2014 13:41

These threads are all the same.

Unless you're going to take the advice of the majority of posters on here and not take them out of school, just go and don't bother asking what anyone else thinks.

AnnoyingOrange · 17/08/2014 13:46

Your dc are 5 and 1. Not a problem for them education wise, but I'm not aware of the current fine situation.
We took ours out when they were in primary, as did the majority of parents. In those days you could ask for permission for up to 10 days. Our head teacher used to say go and have a great time

dottytablecloth · 17/08/2014 13:48

What really bugs me about this is the bloody parents who insist on me providing a holiday pack of all the work and activities their child will miss during the course of said holiday in the sun.

Because I haven't got enough to do already teaching the children who actually are in school!

ilovesooty · 17/08/2014 13:49

Yr 5 and Yr 1

I dispute the assertion that there are no potential educational implications in taking a week out at that point in the year.

hstar1995 · 17/08/2014 13:51

YANBU :-) if you don't want to get a fine, phone the school and say your children are ill, and then enjoy yourhholidays :-)

ilovesooty · 17/08/2014 13:53

Great. It didn't take long for someone to suggest that it's not only ok to give your children the message that school is optional, it's also ok to encourage them to collude with you in lying to avoid the fine.

GiveTwoSheets · 17/08/2014 13:54

I say do it! I would say that as I plan to take mine out next year in December for 2weeks!

ForalltheSaints · 17/08/2014 13:54

If it is to visit a family member not in the UK, then seems reasonable. Otherwise I would not blame the school for imposing a fine.

ilovesooty · 17/08/2014 13:56

GiveTwoSheets would you do it if you were being fined per day?

AtSea1979 · 17/08/2014 14:03

Fine per parent? I'm a single parent how does that work?
I thought fine was £60 per day per child?

OP posts:

DogCalledRudis · 17/08/2014 14:07

Yanbu.
But get a reasonable back-up, e.h. if your dc were ill, so they don't come back bragging about a cruise...

kslatts · 17/08/2014 14:10

I used to think holidays should only be taken outside of term time, however now I'm starting to change my view.

I think it depends on the circumstances, what school year the child is in and where you are going/what type of holiday, but I strongly believe often children will learn far more travelling for a week than being in a classroom.

In an ideal world they would do both, be in school everyday and travel during school holidays, but some families can only afford the term time prices.

Comingfoccacia · 17/08/2014 14:14

Do it, they are your kids. One week is not going to deprive them. Going abroad is likely to be v educational. I've taken mine out before and they suffered no ill effects and their teachers were fine with it.

GiveTwoSheets · 17/08/2014 14:15

ilovesooty I full expect to be fined so divide that fine to daily rate and the answer is yes.

TSSDNCOP · 17/08/2014 14:20

There's times when I think you can maybe get away with it. Couple of days before the Esater or summer holiday.

Other times no. November would fall into that category as the schools seem to cram as much as possible in before they turn their attention to the Christmas festivities.

GiveTwoSheets · 17/08/2014 14:22

Atsea the fine is £60 for each parent who has parental responsibility per child for each period of leave (not daily).

This is my understanding I could be wrong.

TheRealMaryMillington · 17/08/2014 14:23

It's a poor message re the importance of school.
Schools are under the kosh re attendance so if you want to support your school you wouldn't do it.
Especially not in November, it's particularly bad timing. December and later summer term, not so much - learning wise.People taking kids out like this can impact on HT ability to discretionarily authorise absence for other more important things.
You might get fined, but might not, and probably not much.
It is ludicrous that HT's can't authorise the odd trip, and ludicrous that holiday companies are allowed to hike their prices like they do, but on balance YABU.

TheRealMaryMillington · 17/08/2014 14:24

LOL at it being educational
Totally missing the point

Primrose123 · 17/08/2014 14:26

I wouldn't be judgy about this. I took my DCs out of primary school occasionally with the permission of the head teacher (this was a few years ago). Their attendance otherwise was excellent, and they were hard working and up to date with all school work. In fact, the head told us once that they would learn far more in a week in our destination than they would in a week at school!

I wouldn't take them out at all if they had been struggling with school work, and I wouldn't take them out in year 6 or secondary school. In year 5 and below, they seemed to do more activities and very little formal learning. In fact, after November half term, they wasted hours every week rehearsing for the Christmas play. The teachers quite openly hated the amount of time spent on the plays.

I realise it's very different now, it's frowned upon and parents get fined, but my kids have been fine and are now doing well in secondary school. They work hard at their school work and have a good attitude towards it.

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KnittedJimmyChoos · 17/08/2014 14:36

Take them out.

I don't agree with the new rules or the fines.

Flexibilityisquay · 17/08/2014 14:39

If I'm honest I think YABU, but that makes me as bad as I have done it, and probably will do again. As long as attendance is generally good, and you are supportive of their school work, I don't think it is the worst thing in the world.

redexpat · 17/08/2014 14:45

If you are prepared to risk getting fined then go ahead. I think as others have said it sends a pretty poor message to your children about the importance of school, and the implication that rules dont apply to them.

And yes to the teacher who said it was only the under achievers who wete taken out!

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