To take my kids out of school for the last week of term to save risking our holiday

[DIYandEatCake]

We stupidly booked a uk holiday starting a couple of days after term ends in a few week’ time (about 6 months ago, thinking Covid would be a distant memory by now). Cases are rising in our area, there’s been one in my son’s class (he’s currently isolating) and in nearly all schools round here. I’ve never taken the kids out of school in term time before, but am very tempted to just take them out of school for the last week and homeschool them (I won’t be working that week) so that we can all just enjoy a much needed break. It’s our only holiday this year, with grandparents the kids adore and haven’t seen much of, and we won’t get our money back if we cancel at short notice. The kids are happy to miss the end of term (they’re really looking forward to this holiday and getting anxious about covid cases/isolating) and obviously not much learning goes on in the last week. Sports days etc will all have happened by then. But I’m worried about getting in trouble with the school or getting fined (I would be honest with school). AIBU to keep them at home that last week?

I’m normally very anti taking kids out of school during term time but this year I’d totally do it in your position. They don’t do much in the last week of term and I think all of us really really need a break. The last 16 months have been a relentless grind and to miss a much needed holiday with loved ones I’ve hardly seen for so long would have me howling at the moon. We’re scheduled to visit my parents in August (in another country in the UK), haven’t seen them in almost a year and haven’t hugged them in over a year and a half. I’d move heaven and hell to make sure we could do it.

If I wasn't a teacher I'd do it. Covid's running rife in schools

I’d do it but I wouldn’t be honest about the holiday, I’d say the family were self-isolating and leave it at that to avoid the fine.

Up to you, but don’t lie. If you say you are isolating then you genuinely should be. Don’t blame anyone contemplating this and wanting a holiday.

However think it’s awful that some PP would not isolate if child in contact and then go on holiday. Many of the people in hospitality have not had second jabs as they are younger. Yes they aren’t as likely to get ill but maybe they have holidays and family they would like to see.

How much is the fine? A friend of mine budgets the fine into her holiday annually. The last week of school is a total waste of time, IMO.

Made the mistake of asking our (primary) head teacher for permission to do this. She said no. Probably some absolutely essential colouring in going on that week.
So I'd recommend not stating the real reason tbh

Absolutely 100 percent would do this.

So long as you're not expecting school to provide the work, which it sounds like you're not, I'd do it.

I think everybody needs a break this year and if this will allow you that break, without putting additional stress on the teachers to provide online learning whilst teaching a class, then I'd do it.

@ThedaBara the headteacher wouldn’t be allowed to give permission for something non-essential like this - it would have to go down as ‘unauthorised absence’ (so essentially I’d have to take the kids out of school without permission). I think the only leeway they get is in the decision over whether or not to get the local authority to fine you - I’m hoping they’d be lenient.

I did this because of. A V and D bug going round rhe class.
No regrets

We are thinking about doing this and it's something we would normally not even consider.

Our holiday will involve seeing family / friends we have not seen much at all - some not since last year.

DH can't easily get time of work so it's then or not at all.

Like you we would be honest with the school.

I'd do it. I wish I could take my teacher daughter out of school too. We have a mini break booked to make up for all the time we missed together during the lockdowns (while I was able to bubble with her sister). I'll be gutted for her if one of the kids in her class tests positive in that last week and she has to isolate. She desperately needs a break.

I’m a teacher and have a holiday booked starting the day after we break up. I think I won’t bother going in till September now because the holiday (carried over from last year and booked 20 months ago now) is really important to us as a family. Yes?

I’d have thought the more parents who do this the better from your point of view? Fewer children = lower likelihood of being told to isolate?

But if you want them all there then fair play to you!

Do it. Just do it. You and your family need your holiday more than your kids need to be at school for the last week of term.

It might just save you a world of worry. We are supposed to be going on holiday on 17th July - but DS is having a PCR test for covid symptoms tomorrow. If he tests positive we likely won't be able to go 😢.

I would be honest - I don’t want to put my kids in a position where they might have to lie, and would want them to be able to say a proper goodbye and thank you to their teachers if possible. I also wouldn’t want to have to isolate for 10 days just because we used that as our reason - we’ve all had totally enough of that.

@mrsdolittle loads of luck, I hope it’s negative. What a nightmare.

Loads of people did this before Christmas op and nobody l know got fined

The Headteacher has to give a certain line regarding attendance. However, most understand
all that families have been through (knowing all that schools and their teams have been through). LAs and Trusts are advising to to give message of ‘not authorised but don’t pursue penalty notices’. Headteachers are authorising what they can under ‘discretionary’. There’s a ‘compassionate’ code that can be used and I think that’s very apt after the COVID restrictions. I’d guide to be honest and trust the above!

Funny- in March, this site was full of parents saying how much the children needed to be in school, how much was being missed every single day by being at home.

Now it’s holiday season, apparently it’s fine that the kids isolate at home, they don’t need to socialise or learn at school. No problems.

Anyhow, I think I’ll isolate for two weeks in August so I can definitely go on a cheap holiday in September. I can’t do it earlier due to GCSE results, sports competitions and DS going away with mates. I’m sure the 30 families who have kids in my class will understand.

Half of MN seem to be doing the same so I wouldn’t worry!

Wouldn’t think twice about it. Go, no isolation and no tests. Covid gone beyond a joke now

Absolutely do it. Life is too short to not have fun! I once took by boys out of school the week before Xmas as there was a nasty tummy bug going round and I wanted to protect them and our family Xmas 🤷‍♀️

This year has been so disjointed and fairly joyless, I'd definitely do it in your position. One thing we need to take from the pandemic is that life is very short and sometimes we need to bend the rules for our own wellbeing. Hopefully life will be back to normal in September and the threat of isolation will be a distant memory.

Yes I would!

I feel YABU. I don’t think it’s right to take kids out of school for a week for the sake of the fact you havnt properly planned your holiday. It’s not really fair on the teacher, who will still be planning lessons or your kids who will be missing (albeit a small amount) of education.
You’re talking about a leisure holiday right? You’re in the same boat as most people who also havnt been on one and your situation doesn’t make your circumstance any more ‘special’ than anyone else.
It just sounds like you’ve poorly planned and should just get over it rather than bend ‘the rules’ to get what you want. In my humble opinion, that doesn’t send a good message to your kids.