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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be ok with term time holidays?

57 replies

MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 17:31

Have a child starting reception I know that until age 5 you can take child out of school?! Number of mum's even with older kids will have a term time holiday this year...I'm kind of ok with this? I don't know: it's probably quite a debate. What are teachers thoughts? When is best time (if any) to take a week off?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 31/08/2016 17:32

Personally I wouldn't take a week out. A week could be a whole topic missed in a subject. It's a lot of catching up to do, probably even more so in the earlier years where the foundations are being set for later.

mummymeister · 31/08/2016 18:18

are you aware of the fines for holidays in term time Moonstar?

its £60 per parent per child and whether you get fined depends on your school and LEA.

you need to know what the schools policies are about taking kids out.

allowlsthinkalot · 31/08/2016 18:18

You can do what you like until the term after their fifth birthday. I'm only sending dd two days a week until then.

I've taken older kids out of school for holidays and other events and believe it enhances their learning. You won't find many on mumsnet agreeing though!!

allowlsthinkalot · 31/08/2016 18:21

They can't fine for a child below compulsory school age mummymeister.

The absence is marked with a code x which means the child is not required to attend. And they shouldn't be counted in the school's attendance figures.

Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:21

Oh really!! That's good. I have only 1 school age

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 31/08/2016 18:23

I wouldn't take a child out of school when they are just settling in.

Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:25

Done school nursery already and has lots of friends. Also advanced ie aged 4 and already reading level 3 biff chip books (they taught in nursery with DC as is ahead so didn't want to hold back). so I just think just 1 week would be ok?

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 31/08/2016 18:26

I have and I would again - a week is fine - my secondary age 2 are ahead anyway
Our lea will only fine if u have bellow 90% attendance or take more than 10 days over two terms
I've never been fined- mine all have 96% + attendance

Wolfiefan · 31/08/2016 18:26

And the social side. Making friends? Knowing routines?

Wolfiefan · 31/08/2016 18:26

What about making friends and knowing routines?

That1950sMum · 31/08/2016 18:26

allowIsthinkalot I am interested how you can claim to enhance their learning by taking them out of school! Grin

I can understand the argument that it saves money (not that I agree with that), but I'm really struggling with the idea that you're somehow supporting their education by taking them out of school.

Sirzy · 31/08/2016 18:27

How advanced a hold is makes no difference though.

The first half term is about learning about the new setting, the new routines and things.

Even before the ban on holidays most schools asked that children didn't have time off in September because it is so important for settling in

Wolfiefan · 31/08/2016 18:27

Sorry. On phone.

allegretto · 31/08/2016 18:29

I take all 3 if mine out of school for a week's skiing each year. They always catch up and luckily we don't get fines here (I live abroad). I think there should be more flexibility in the UK.

Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:29

I'm thinking November time? Like end of November to go to the canaries?

OP posts:
Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:29

I hear lots take out for skiing

OP posts:
00100001 · 31/08/2016 18:33

Do you know that in some countries, girls are denied an education.

In some countries, people work twk jobs to send their child to school.

In some countries children just don't get an education.

Why would you take your child's free education for granted, and want a week off just to go on a cheaper holiday? Confused

allowlsthinkalot · 31/08/2016 18:34

Because I believe that children learn best when allowed to play freely and explore their own interests - especially in the early years and there is a wealth of research based evidence supporting that. I don't believe that the current school system is particularly effective.

Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:35

Because I value family time too! And we can't afford a week abroad at other times.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 31/08/2016 18:36

Why does family time need to be abroad though?

Have you priced up October half term? You can normally get some bargain prices for then.

00100001 · 31/08/2016 18:37

So..... Don't go abroad? Its not compulsory you know.

Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:37

Plus I'm sure if I was Swedish kids start school later ? Or is that Norway? Also when I was 14 I was adamant I would not take time out of school for a 2 week trip my dad and mum and brother did to India. That was the only time we as a family ever could have gone on holiday as my dad then died before we could do it again. My biggest regret. My parents listened to me didn't take me out cos of my SATS. To this day I regret it so much I know j was only 14 but I never got to go away abroad with my parents and brother us all together. Life is too short

OP posts:
00100001 · 31/08/2016 18:38

Also, your child will get every afternoon/ evening, weekend, October half term, Christmas, Feb half term, easter, may half term and all of the summer holidays off

Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:38

it doesn't need to be abroad but it's pretty good when it is!

OP posts:
ToInfinity · 31/08/2016 18:38

I was a primary school teacher for 8 years, now SAHP with a dc about to start school. I would absolutely take a holiday in term time.
When I was teaching it was allowed and I never noticed it have any real impact on children's education or friendships. It's only one week!
That said, I would maybe avoid the first week of a new term.