day off school for family day out

[ghostspirit]

would you let your children have a day of school for a day out?

Poor example to set? Its a day not a month

Yes and I have. In Wales where the ten days' holiday are still being authorised. I still would if I lived in Engald tbh, just not as often!

England, that is.

They might miss out on the crappy 100 % attendance prize but I'm sure you can live with that, ghost.

Why? People on MN are always whinging about the cost of stuff in the holidays - well, durr!!! It's hardly news. No-one I know in RL would do this, thems the breaks when you start a family. I'm taking my first August holiday in over 20 years this year and yes, it's a load more expensive and will be a lot busier - so what? I knew that when we decided to have a child, and it's only for a few years anyway.

I couldn't even if I wanted to. I'm a teacher! Back in the days when we were allowed to authorise term time holidays, we would authorise a special day out if the family had a reason to really need it. For example, relatives from overseas coming over for the first time etc. However, these days it isn't worth risking the fine for shorter queues.

Everyone I know in RL would do this. Without some pompous random telling them they shouldn't have kids.

No, I have never done it. And no, because at this point in the year - just over 3 weeks to go - we are still teaching full tilt (if we have a sports day or something, then we are still teaching absolutely normally in all lessons around it). The last couple of days of term would be OK.

Weekdays in the holidays will be much quieter than weekdays in the next 4 coming weeks.

I assure you.

usual, I know no-one in RL who would do this, or at least no-one who would not have enormous soul searching even over mnuch better reasons.

Dying relative? Of course. Australian relative? OK. Genuine dire poverty, chance for a very cheap break for the first time in years (I used to teach in a school with very high levels of deprivation)? As a one off, once in a school career, OK. Cheap trip to Chessington in school trip season? Nope.

I don't know a single person in RL who is so rigid about this and I know quite a few teachers too. Have only ever seen this attitude here on MN.

We have done it under exceptional circumstances only.
Equally, I've let mine have the odd day off when they're exhausted (physically or mentally) - a duvet day. Again, under exceptional circumstances.

Agree with bump. Took DS1 to a museum in the summer holidays, last year and it was pretty quiet. Took both boys to the same museum at the start of the Easter holidays, when the schools local to the place hadn't broken up yet and it was mayhem in there.

I did it once out of 7 years of primary school.

He is rarely off sick, generally keeps up with his work.

We got given tickets to a big air show in London. With an arena full of hands on kids activities and career advice. But only on the Friday.

Showed headmaster the info and invite. He approved it.

So I guess it depends on the circumstances.

For a genuine one off experience to benefit the child, yes.

To go to lunch at grandma's, round the corner, no.

Sometimes you just have to do what you want. You know, break the rules and live a little.

A day off in primary in the Summer term never made one blind bit of difference to anyone's education ever in the history of schooling. Such a lot of preciousness.

No, I wouldn't. I just don't think your reasons justify taking the time off. There are circumstances where a day off is necessary, but to get cheaper tickets for a theme park (and avoid queues) is not one of them!

I will be requesting a day's absence for my DC next year for my graduation. I have no idea whether it will be approved and I imagine there are people who think that is a poor reason for a day off school. To me, it will be one of the most important and defining days in my life and I would like to share that with my children.

for my 12 year old its staff training. the 4 year old thinks theres no school. the 8 year old is missing a school trip.

yeah people i know have done it as well.

Depends.

You do not need to justify your actions on such a minor issue. Just go. Have fun. You and your dc will love it.

What a shame for your 8-year-old, OP. Did you give him the choice to go on the school trip instead?

rhonda yes i did. he wanted to go chessington

I suppose if you said "Do you want to go to chessington or your school trip" I can see why he would choose the latter. Just asking, "Do you want to go on your school trip" might have yielded a different answer!

Another one who thinks it will be absolutely heaving. I live just up the road from Thorpe Park - this is the worst time of year to visit!

he woud have said yes to the school trip if he had not known about chessington but then there would be no point me asking him if im not giving him the full information.

and yeah a few people have said it will be packed