day off school for family day out

[ghostspirit]

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

Yes. Not to go to Chessington but for a special thing then yes. I'm a teacher so obviously I can't take my children out on a school day but I think that special memories and/or experiences can outweigh a day at school. I'm no longer teaching in the UK.

"I couldnt give a shit what the law says about anything. I take my own moral judgement on everything I do, whether it be lawful or not"

So you think you are above the law?

I agree that the law is an ass, but there are some things that some people think that the law doesn't apply to them - paedophilia, rape, arson, murder anyone?

I dont know about you bunbake, but im pretty sure that most people wouldnt abuse children or rape people or set fire to stuff and murder people because they are shitty horrible things to do, not just because they are illegal, but dont let that stop you comparing them to taking kids out of school for a day and other minor transgressions of order

Absolutely. You should. Life is too short! Iwould consider myself BIG on education but believe so much learning happens outside of the classroom especially with one's family. I think schools should accommodate parental requests for say 2 or 3 days like this a year. Additionally not all families can afford to go away at peak times and thus would give families the option to do a long weekend. Some parent's employment is seasonal too - eg hotel/ catering so the busiest times are in school holidays!

Schools bang on about home school partnership, but it often seems that what they mean is 'Unless you follow our way to the letter, you are clearly obstructive!' Are there any schools which buck this trend?

Yes. We plan on doing this next week to take our children to the Natural History and Science Museums in London. I will be informing the school of the real reason they won't be attending that day.

My son has Aspergers and has been desperate to go for a long time now. He has done SATs this year so it is kind of a little treat for him. I want to do it in term time so that it isn't too busy as he struggles with crowds and I think its much better suited to him than the theme park trip that the school have planned the following week.

Are we talking about a day of school or a day off school? Bit of a difference there.

i bet those saying yeah take a day of if you fancy moan like hell when the school arranges a inset day

Yes, once in a blue moon I've done this. I literally mean once every couple of years for something really special. We did it a few weeks ago when Dd won tickets to see her favourite singer in concert. We were honest about it to the school, not a single person was disapproving. Totally different if you do it all the time, IMHO.

No I don't Christmas I love it

I would definitely as a one-off. IN fact I'm very much looking forward to my boys having a day-trip to Oxford soon. Seeing the city of dreaming spires is worth a day off, and it has to be that day as I'm travelling there for work purposes.

I took my 3 out for an extra day tagged onto spring bank so we could go to Corfu. I don't see what your doing as being any different.

For the purpose of full disclosure - none of them are on 100 % attendance!

I LOVE non pupil days

"I bunked them off school one day last year as I thought it was too hot (30 degrees) and we went to the beach. I find school hideously restrictive, and if I had the guts, I would just unschool them, and may well do so at some point."

At work people with your attitude get sacked.

^

Bollocks to that. Maybe in a particular kind of job, but this attitude can also take you far. I wouldn't hesitate to bunk off on a hot day to go to the beach and I'm another person who gets to work remotely in a very high profile high status job for my industry, pick my hours, do what I want and I get a lot of respect for it. I have a lot of women friends who are pioneers in their fields who would do exactly the same. Also... where I live there is an amazing artist who was homeschooled who gives lessons. She never had one day of formal education and is articulate, personable and visionary.

It's just not as important as is often made out.

I also agree strongly with the posters who say that the authorities don't move so quickly to make things right for people who can't go to school.. have seen that with a family member.

Yes absolutely! We did exactly this recently! We took our children out of school for two days to visit London and to go to theme park. We had a brilliant time and it was completely worth it! I submitted a request for the days off school - they were not granted (obviously) and will go as unauthorised, but as their attendance was 100% until then, it doesn't really matter.

selly24 I agree with you completely.

I'm sure there are schools that would love to buck the trend. The DD's first school was always very understanding- authorised holidays (10 days a year) and would never quibble a good reason (graduation, Glastonbury, theatre visits etc.), really good results, lovely nurturing environment, they don't authorize anything now- too scared of Ofsted and being forced to become an academy.

i took them and we all had a great day. ques where not to bad 10-20 min wait then at end of the day they were down to 5 mins.

Good! Glad you had a fab day. The government don't own your children (as much as they would probably like to).

thanks fairy there were 6 of us there is no way i could have afforded to go at standard price. or even with the bogof offers. and it was nice to see all the kids having fun together without any aguing :)

I'm sure they learnt a lot.

"I'm sure they learnt a lot"

Doubtful but I bet they had a ton of laughs and great time together as a family.

Glad you enjoyed OP .

they learnt that they can have fun and a lovely family day out what ever their ages are. and that they can go a whole day without aguing.

nicki yes it was great even my 17 year old enjoyed herself joking about with her siblings and stuff have had some difficult times with her so it was really good to see :)

Glad you had a fab day!

I know a HT whose DH used to take their DC for a day out once a year. When she first told me I was

The dad recently died suddenly. Their DC will always have the memories of those days out with their dad.

Everyone needs to make their own parenting decision. Some of the responses on this thread have made me

Yes we did. We used to take them to Flamingoland on their birthdays. They've both survived and today dd1 finished her PGCE and come September will be teaching her own year 3 class.

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.

and we have done, a day here and there over the years, my DC are top performing in class, 100% supported in their education, adore school and learning, well behaved love learning, and it has not done them one bit of harm.

go and enjoy.

lynettescavo thats so sad for them children. yes they will have them memorys.

yeah the thread has made me laugh a bit. only glanced though could not be bothered to reply.