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?

Do it so that a holiday is included in the time, I.e. Christmas or Easter hols take up two weeks of it.

Do check with your school about how long you can be absent without losing your place - if I remember correctly it is 6 weeks.

We had our kids out of school in Y1,Y2 for one and Y4, Y5 returning just in time for SATs in Y6 for the other for a huge traveling trip. They both have gone back into school fine. So a month sounds absolutely do-able!

Ps be aware that they can off roll you after 2 weeks, most schools won't but you should check as it's at the heads discretion

I would take them out the last term of year 6, potentially the whole term, give them a nice long rest before Secondary and avoiding SATs. No worries about fines, just deregister them... (And home educate any gaps).

Like others have said why can't it be part of the Christmas or Easter hols?

Would you not loose their school place altogether if you take them out for a month?

Not Year 6! DS is halfway through Y6 and he’s has been working so hard since September. I’d say Y6 after SATS is probably the best time.

Avoid year 6 and only take 2 weeks off school by using the school holidays for the other 2. They have 13 weeks holiday a year so taking another 4 off takes the piss a little and puts your place at risk.

I've tagged a week onto DS's Easter half term for our once in a lifetime trip - he is only yr1 though.

I will have absolutely no regrets either.

I've tagged a week onto DS's Easter half term for our once in a lifetime trip - he is only yr1 though.

I will have absolutely no regrets either.

Another one here who tacked on a week to the Easter break for a trip to Australia, giving us 3 weeks there.

Actuslly, ignore my previous post about Y6 after SATS, there’ll be lots of transition to secondary stuff. Round here, children move from first school to middle school at the end of Y5 so I’d forgotten that the post SATS period of Y6 is very important in most places.