When to take DC out of school for big trip?

[Pelicanpinkpants]

We have been planning a once in a lifetime type trip to visit family on the other side of the world. Since this is a one off, and flights will be very expensive, we would like to go for a month.

We have never taken DC out of school, not even for a day. However, we know that these primary school years are probably the only chance we will ever get to do this.

So my question is, which year (between year 3 to year 6) is the best year to take children out of school? Is any year more relaxed/better than the others?

I'll be honest, it's never a good thing, a month is a long time! As kids every year get 6 weeks summer holidays, why not go then? That's the vest option if you are thinking about their education. Missing 3 or 4 days at the end of the term won't hurt if flights don't line up with the school holidays

have you factored in fines to see if it is cheaper to take them out during term times?

I’d go for earlier rather than later.

How exciting though - I hope you all have a wonderful time!

I'd say as early as possible to be honest, it's a great opportunity but year 5 and 6 are important as prep for secondary. Year 3 or 4 best in my opinion - but if it's a month can't you go in the summer holidays?

I'll be honest, it's never a good thing, a month is a long time!

Have to disagree. (As long as your kids aren’t behind) My parents did similar when I was in primary school and I wouldn’t change those memories for anything. I also did well at school and my education wasn’t affected at all.

How long would they be out of school. We took DC out for a week for a 2 week trip and called in sick every morning. Yes, I know it's terrible but as a former teacher a week is not going to make a huge difference in the grand scheme of life. Go and enjoy yourself, life's too short.

I'd say do it in year 3 or 4. Enjoy!

Earlier rather than later. And do it over Christmas - they do bugger all the last week leading up to Christmas so they'd only miss 1 week effectively.

Build the school fine into your budget though!

Use two weeks of Easter holidays and two weeks before. Much better they start the summer term fresh and ready to learn

It's going to be obvious if you lie.
You could plan the trip around Easter or Christmas so they only miss two weeks of school?

Thanks everyone. Sorry forgot to say, the reason we cant do it in the summer is because of DH's job.

So year 3 or 4? Fantastic. Also, what time of year is best to go? I was thinking between Christmas and Easter sometime?

I would be totally upfront with the school and tell them what and why we are doing it. Will definitely factor in school fines.

Years 3-5. Go for it!

Is it somewhere that is warm in our winter? I'd go over February half term so only missing 3 weeks. Taking in Easter night not be so nice wether wise and this will be a month off. I'd happily do this and know people who have done

Definitely try and do it over Easter. Then it's only 2 weeks she will miss.

I'd avoid going in the autumn term and try to do it over a holiday. Ideally take the last two weeks before the Easter holidays. It's best to be back at the beginning of a new term IMO.

As said, not a lot of academic learning goes on on the week before Christmas, but then they'd miss all the a Christmas things the school does.

I would just be a little careful that you don’t end up losing your child’s school place. You should be fine if it’s over a 2 week holiday but could be risking it if you take the full month in term time.

schoolsnet.derbyshire.gov.uk/keeping-children-safe-in-education/children-missing-from-education/children-missing-education-removal-from-school-roll.aspx

The earlier the better I would say, definitely not in y6.

A month is a long time and your child will miss quite a lot. It’s not the end of the world but think about how you will keep your child up to speed without creating extra work for the school.

Why not tag it on to Christmas or Easter holidays then DC will only miss 2 weeks of school. A friend has just gone to Australia for 3 weeks but the last week will be half term.

As others said. The earlier the better and go over a school holiday so only missing 2 weeks of school for 4 weeks away.
Or go in summer holidays unless there are strong climate reasons not to.

Yr3, Yr1, Reception, yr5...

Given how tough the autumn term seems to be for everyone, why not take the last two weeks of that term plus Christmas and NY?

Anything tagged onto a school holiday is the best plan so christmas + 2 weeks or easter + 2 weeks

Move to Scotland and take them out, no fines here. Or certainly not in our school.

Definitely not Year 6.

Jan-Easter is the term when most teachers really work the kids hard. The first term involves settling in then lots of practice for Christmas plays, and the last term is all assessments and then, in lots of schools, fun. So a lot of work is done during that middle term. If I had to pick a month that would make the least difference to my children or their teachers I would probably pick June.

We took DD1 out for three weeks once to go to SIL's wedding in Australia.

One of those weeks was the February school half term break so we tacked two extra weeks onto that. School were fine and gave it the OK.

That was years ago, and there were no fines then. Accountability to Ofsted was also much less of a thing.

I would still say that tacking a couple of weeks onto a school holiday is probably your best bet.