To take kids out of school in term time?

[AtSea1979]

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.

In 30+ years of teaching, with one exception, all the students whose parents took them out of school in term time underachieved. Most of them were doing so before they took them out. All, without exception did not hand in homework on time/ at all. All, without exception, were poor in completing class work.

I don't believe you however if you had pupils being taken out, I think one must wonder where were they going? what were they being taken out for, it sounds very suspicious to me.

A holiday here and there is simply not going to ruin a childs education.

Morality of lying... Governmet does it all the time. And we should feel guilty?

Bunbaker My sis has taken kids out every year for holidays one is in uni, the other is taking a-levels, the other is top in all his levels not just holidays he missed school for but ever since he's been in education he has missed months at a time due to his disability.

So holidays during term time does not result in under achievers, same as my DD missing much school time due to being bullied, she managed her GSCE's.

So....there are about 39 weeks in a (state) school year. So one week off is, what? About 2.5% of the school year? Easy to see how quickly it could add up...

The fact that the Government lies is irrelevant AFAIAC

I think that pisstaking parentswho take their children out with no extenuating circumstances for a week or more should be fined more than they are.

I think lying parents fines should be doubled at least.

I think both are sending appalling messages to their children, disrespecting the schools' work, screwing over other parents who are-struggling with family circumstances and are partly responsible for the current policy.

I agree with sooty.

Pisstaking? The world doesn't turn around British school calendar. British school holidays are the shortest in EU.
What is pisstaking it this law... Of course lawmakers are those who went to private schools.

Compare that to 3 months of summer in ... where do the well-qualified immigrants come from

I wouldn't take my kids out of school for holidays, other's would. This is one where you are best not to ask anyone else's opinion and just do what you want.

Most people are going abroad to stay in a holiday complex where they speak English and eat English food. They may pop out for the odd day trip to a local theme park where they use foreign currency but really most holidays, whilst loads of fun, are not more educational than school. I accept that some kids are going to places where they will learn things but these are few and far between
speak for yourself. that's no holiday my family nor family and friends would recognise.

I'm inclined to agree with you soverylucky

Givetwosheets My post wasn't very clear. These two children were underachievers anyway and taking them out of school just before exams was not a great idea. I still think that the mum could have been more supportive of their education.

"Morality of lying... Governmet does it all the time. And we should feel guilty?"

It depends on whether you have a conscience doesn't it. Some people clearly don't, and two wrongs don't make a right.

Why do state schools in the UK get far fewer holidays than the rest of the world anyway?

Thirdly - all these holidays where you learn more than you do in school. Most people are going abroad to stay in a holiday complex where they speak English and eat English food. They may pop out for the odd day trip to a local theme park where they use foreign currency but really most holidays, whilst loads of fun, are not more educational than school. I accept that some kids are going to places where they will learn things but these are few and far between.

That's not my idea of a holiday!

If your child was in my class I wouldn't be bothered. Especially at that time of year. (Just don't ask me to set work). Hope the fine doesn't happen and have fun! :)

It's not my idea of a holiday either Primrose123 but nearly everyone I know with children does AI complex holidays. We would hate it.

One of my friends is a travel agent. She says a depressingly large number of people go on AI holidays.

Claim illness rather than tell the truth

This happened in DS's class last term (Reception). Ds came in one Monday saying X was poorly. New reports on X still being ill all week. Following Monday X was back. DS ran towards him shouting "are you feeling better X". To which X replied "I'm not ill, I have been to Spain". Right in front IOC the Headteacher!

Brilliant!

"We pay for state education out of our taxes."

Most people do not ever contribute as much as they put in. So, that excuse doesn't wash with me. It doesn't affect me if you take your kids out for cheap jollies but it does irritate me when people use every excuse under the sun to justify it. If you feel it's right, just do it.

I am a primary teacher. You can't generalise. Some children who are taken out underachieve, some don't. Some parents make very sure they help their children catch up, some don't. They are your children; they do not belong to the state and you know what is important for them. Schools, IMO and as a teacher, take themselves far to seriously.

toooooooooooooooooooo seriously

The Head told us once that they would learn far more in a week in our destination than they would in a week in school!
I'd be changing schools with all possible speed, in that case Primrose