To ask how many of you take your children on holiday during term time?

[Afternooninthepark]

In order to have an affordable family holiday do you take your dc out of school?
If you do, have you ever been fined by the local authorities?

[Caspianberg]

I will happily when our child is school age. I don't think its a problem as long as not in major exam time, and that you as parents ask what they will cover while away and make sure your child has caught up.

[Iamclearlyamug]

I did this year with DD7, only for 4 days which I think is why I didn't get fined.

I did do a holiday request form knowing they would say no, but the school also knew that them saying no wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to me. I have a good relationship with the school and DD is very well liked by her teachers - whether that made a difference or not I don't know.

Planning the same again for 2020

[Waxonwaxoff0]

I have done for 2 days maximum at the end of a term. Wouldn't do it for any longer than that, would not do it at the start of a new school year and will not be doing it when DS is in last year of primary or in secondary school.

[Bombaybunty]

Once when he was in reception. He's now 17 and we've not done it again.

[Wannabegreenfingers]

We don't, the cost to cover childcare during the school holidays is just as expensive as going away. So it just makes sense to go on holiday during the school holidays.

[woogal]

Yes but this is the first time I've done it and he misses 4 days of school in total.

[HavelockVetinari]

Assuming our DC aren't behind at school they'll likely miss the odd day to visit DH's home country - we think it's important that they get sufficient exposure to their 2nd nationality and language. I wouldn't ever allow them to miss school once they begin studying for GCSEs.

[AnybodyWantAChip]

We did it a couple of times in junior school, but never in senior school.

[MegaBlock]

I did it this year first time ever and didn’t get fined. It was my first ever holiday abroad in too and I have no regrets taking dd out of school.

[tashakg89]

Every year. our school don't fine luckily! but if they did I'd just pay the fine.

[MrsArchchancellorRidcully]

Yes and no fines as I live in wales where we are allowed two weeks holiday in term time all the way up to and including high school.

It's discouraged and we don't do it every year but DD has 2 weeks off in reception and this yr in yr 6 we took 2 days off to visit Harry Potter studios when it was quieter.

[bobsyourauntie]

OP, yes, if you take a couple of days at the end of a term, the holiday is usually much cheaper, so say Thurs-Thurs, so they miss just 2 days of school, but it costs much less because you are away at different times to the main half term week.

Our schools usually finish mid week at the end of the school year, so a lot of kids are "sick" then whilst parents take advantage of cheap holidays.

I would never take DC out at the start of term though as I think it is important for them to settle in to the new school year. I wouldn't take them out at the end of the year either, if they were leaving a school as they miss out on so much of the leavers events.

[MooseBreath]

I used to be a teacher. I would definitely do it, assuming my child was resilient enough to catch up on missed concepts.

[Notthisnotthat]

We are in Scotland so don't get fined for holidays. My OH is in the emergency services so gets his leave allocated but thankfully has always been able to swap with colleagues to at least get a week off in the summer. We had our oldest miss 2 days of school when youngest was in hospital in another town and she wasn't coping well with being away from us for so long. Is was marked as Exceptional Domestic Circumstances- Authorised.

[scrumptiousbears]

We don't. Even when I was at school some 30 years ago my parents complained about the cost of holidays during school holiday period. We know it's expensive and either suck it up or don't go away. I personally don't think it's acceptable to take children out of school for a cheaper jolly.

[FeckOffGraham]

I haven't, but I would and I might some time in the future. As pps have said, it would be less to do with cost and more to do with crowds and what leave DH can get.

[Boobiliboobiliboo]

At least a week every year. Not because of money but because of crowds, usually. Rules are different in Wales so no court or fines etc unless there’s already a problem with absence.

[Trumpleton]

I'm a teacher so not possible for me but I feel.really.sorry for the kids who turn up 3 weeks in to the new school year having missed out on settling, entire topics, getting to know their new teacher etc. They always seem a bit lost. Preferable to do it near half terms or Easter I think! Also think it's a bit sad when they miss the end of year fun but sure they also love their holiday!
We have some serial offenders who miss weeks every year which I do think unfair on the child and the teacher (!) and just suggests that education.is not very important to the family...
To the ppster who said they request weeks of work and homework FOR YOUR HOLIDAY!!! I would politely decline this
We do NOT have to provide work for you and guve ourselves extra to dk because you decided to go on holiday!!!

[dottiedodah]

We did this some years ago in order to afford a break in Florida (overlapped Easter by around a week or so ) No probs then .However my Son recently told me ,he had had to stay in at lunchtimes/breaks in order to catch up ! Dont know what to say really .If its just a one off then probably no "biggie" Probably best if not a regular thing though!

[Afternooninthepark]

I will look into latching a few days onto a half term, see if that makes any difference to the cost?
Our local authorities website says the penalty is £60 per child, per parent. But I read somewhere else that could also mean per day??

[trilbydoll]

The problem is if you're both working you end up with no holiday to cover the actual holidays. I would not worry about a day or two at the end of term but a whole week makes quite a dent in my holiday allowance! If I've then got to pay for holiday club I'm not convinced I'd make any saving.

[MyRaGaiaStarFishPieA]

Yes, I have always taken my kids out for holidays...although I don't in the final two years for GCSEs. I have 4 kids, eldest is perfectly average but the youngest three are high achievers and it has not affected their attainments In any way at all. I happily pay the £60 fine as I am a proper bargain hunter . We have had a week in corfu self catering for £68 each , a week in Italy self catering for £89 each and loads of other bargains. My kids love traveling, love seeing the sites and trying new food etc.

[TowerRingInferno]

Never.

[ThomasRichard]

I did it for one day last year when DS and DD were in years 1 and 3. They had 100% attendance up til that point. I know it’s annoying for the teachers (come from a family of teachers) but I’d absolutely do it again if I thought it was the right thing for my family.

[suspended]

yeah we do one week a year at Centreparcs. DD is 7. School always say no on the form and then when you hand it in say 'have a lovely time' which I think it a lovely attitude.