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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:
That1950sMum · 31/08/2016 18:38

You don't have to go to the Canaries to have family time. Just saying!!

CaurnieBred · 31/08/2016 18:39

Took DD out every year of primary to go skiing but she had good attendance and top sets for all subjects. We may have thought otherwise if there were other issues. We won't take her out of Secondary though.

My parents took DSis and I out every year when we were children, including secondary, as my mum was a nurse and had to take her holiday when rota'd. Didn't harm my DSis or I one bit.

Original poster
MoonStar07 · 31/08/2016 18:39

I know but just want to get away and have some space together time together without home stuff interfering. No not priced up half term

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 31/08/2016 18:41

As a teacher I have to pay top whack for any holiday. But it is the price I pay for my job. I personally think that if attendance is 100% prior to holiday then there should be no problem. If attendance is poor and is at a critical time [am secondary] and the number of pupils that go on holiday when they should be revising for GCSEs or A Levels, is incredible. I think if they are 4/5, then go.Take a reading book or two with you.

NerrSnerr · 31/08/2016 18:42

I hate this attitude that everyone is 'entitled' to a holiday and if you can't afford it in the school holidays then who gives a shit about the education. It's not just your child's schooling you're disrupting, it's the other children too as he teacher has to try and take time to make sure your child catches up. If you want time away from home as a family then go camping in half term or something.

00100001 · 31/08/2016 18:47

Yy nerr

People in the UK take their education for granted, and prioritise a cheaper holiday over it.

Imagine the uproar if their child had their school place removed because of them taking a holiday in term time.

Socialaddict · 31/08/2016 18:48

Moon, I would not blink an eye about that now! In primary school it really does not matter at all if you take them out for a bit. A friend of mine took her son out for a whole term to go on a round the world cruise. I bet he learnt tons more than the kids in his class. I regret not having taken my DD out when she was younger. We could have had many more cheaper holidays, but I was too diligent and would not do anything that's not allowed! My DD is starting GCSEs next year and looking at it now, we are not going to have many holidays in the next few years due to her exams and various other commitments, which is such a shame. Go for it and enjoy!!!

Gmbk · 31/08/2016 18:50

As a teacher it makes bugger all difference if your child misses a week. Really it doesn't.

The thing that has the biggest effect is persistent days off. Eg every Friday off has far more impact than 5 consecutive days.

Trifleorbust · 31/08/2016 18:52

Another teacher here: I can't see it making a big difference to her education at that age. Crucial periods like Y6 and Y10/11 are different. In my opinion, you should still be allowed to take them out, but you should have to sign a letter saying you are happy for your child's results to be discounted from school figures because you accept that your choice to remove them from school may have a detrimental effect.

thepenguinsrock · 31/08/2016 18:53

I think parents that do it get judged as crap parents.
I'd save and pay for a holiday in half term.

NickiFury · 31/08/2016 18:53

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

Do you know in this country many children with additional needs are denied school places and/or forced into home ed because the local authority cannot will not pay for a suitable place for them? Highly intelligent children who simply cannot function in main stream environments.

Funny how no one cares about those kids isn't it? Attendance and outcomes seem irrelevant to those children.

I find the hypocrisy and earnest entreaties not to wreck your child's future with regards to term time holidays sickening to be honest when the above is so prevalent and when the rules do not apply to private schools.

It's fine OP, one week abroad as a family during term time is fine. MNetters catastrophize it for some reason and on a site that questions pretty much everything I really don't understand why they unquestioningly swallow this particular unfair piece of legislation tbh. But there we go.

ample · 31/08/2016 18:56

I hear lots take out for skiing
Yes they do. And for Disney/Florida, Europe you name it.
Personally I wouldn't (and haven't). School holidays are for holidays, expensive as they may be. There are plenty of weeks available during the year without having to disrupt schooling.

Not all schools charge a fine. My primary doesn't and I was told it is up to the discretion of the headteacher.
Our local secondary do fine and 'holiday' permission is not granted. End of.

OwlinaTree · 31/08/2016 18:57

Be aware they may be practising for nativity play type things last weeks of Nov. Maybe beginning of Nov/end Jan might be easier?

Wolfiefan · 31/08/2016 18:59

You sound like you've decided already.
I took my eldest out once. I was on maternity leave and my husband couldn't get any time off in holiday time. We didn't go abroad.

Toocold · 31/08/2016 18:59

In some countries women aren't allowed to drive, does that mean that every woman in this country must drive? In some countries abortion is illegal, should every woman in this country be denied that right, in some countries women are not paid the same as men, should we still strive for that here, I could go on and on, it's a week for a child that is currently four years old, they'll be playing in reception mostly, it's not like they'll be missing their GCSEs, one week is not going to have an impact on their education. I'd go for it personally just not at assessment or exam time. Life is too short to worry about one week.

Toocold · 31/08/2016 19:00

And what difference does it make if the holiday is abroad or in the UK?! Why can't the canaries be an education?!

MuffyTheUmpireSlayer · 31/08/2016 19:02

I've taken DD out of school for a week holiday and would do it again in a heartbeat. You don't only learn in school - and I say that as a teacher!

RawPrawn · 31/08/2016 19:03

I never met a teacher who gave a shit about this. It's politics, not education. Certainly when I was teaching I perked right up when I learned certain kids were off on holiday - because they tended to be kids whose parents didn't value education, so lessons were much more pleasant without them there. Shame for the kids, but as so many point out, they 'learn much more' having two weeks in dizznee Hmm.

ample · 31/08/2016 19:13

Agree with RawPrawn, while I haven't heard via parents of any teacher having issue with term holiday absences, it tends to be the same families who take children away during school time. And classes are much more pleasant when they are away. DD notices this too Grin

mummymeister · 31/08/2016 19:14

I wasn't saying you shouldn't do it. I was just making you aware of the situation regarding fines. if your child is under 5 then of course fines don't apply. but if they aren't and your school is one that takes a tough line or your LEA takes a tough line then you need to factor in the fines.

that was my only point.

FWIW I have taken out my DC as authorised absence in term time due to my job. I don't have a problem with it personally.

you are going to do it anyway OP so why ask?

Sara107 · 31/08/2016 19:15

I'm sort of on the fence over this, but the school days are longer and the holidays shorter here than anywhere else in Europe. But English students do not top any of the international education league tables, So time in school does not correlate to good results necessarily. Child might be more upset at missing something than you expect though,I took dD out for a family bereavement and 6 months later she is still upset about missing Victorian day! It has achieved mythic status in her mind.

GoblinLittleOwl · 31/08/2016 19:19

Teachers KNOW that missing a week out of school means missing a week of a very crowded curriculum which cannot be replaced. Whatever age.

anyoldname76 · 31/08/2016 19:19

i dont take my dc out of school, i dont see the need when there are so many beautiful places and good value holidays in this country, weve recently got back from a long weekend in Scotland which cost the grand sum of £84, you just need to shop around.

Toocold · 31/08/2016 19:20

What about when people take thier children out for cultural or religious reasons, such as Eid? Are people bothered by that, as it is often in term time. Family time is just as important as education to my mind, regardless of where it is spend. I am so sick and tired of being preached to by a government, I think it should maybe depend on general school attendance overall.

flirtygirl · 31/08/2016 19:26

I take my kids on holiday cheaply all year round but then i home ed.

When my eldest dd was at school i took her out for holidays and they were educational, it doesnt affect childten when aged 4-10 at all or any age if not missing exams or crucial work, they gain from the experience but the govt would have us all think otherrwise.

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