To take DS out of school for two weeks for holidays?

[DimplesEverywhere]

When Covid settles down and we can get into Florida without too much hassle. Hopefully later this year or early next year. We haven’t gone away for the last two years so have been waiting to do a big holiday.

He is starting secondary school in September but he’s well above average in all subjects so I don’t think it’ll impact him that much.

I’d also rather go on hols outside of school hols, as it’s less busy now, that DS is the only DC we’ll potentially get fined for (other DC out of school). It’ll be cheaper so we’ll save more than the £120 anyway!

Thinking of doing it every year from now actually.

Would it BU?

I think it’s unreasonable and short sighted. Doesn’t sound like it’s a cultural trip either so you can’t use that angle ! But pretty sure you don’t care that much so enjoy Florida !

I would but my child's autistic and can't cope with busy places so it would be the only time we could go x
I would have to take his sister out of school too but I would also try for the special circumstances rules for both of them to avoid fines x

@Billandben444

No friendship group breaks down over a fortnight! The OP is talking about the autumn term and Yr7 friendship groups are still up in the air.

Still not my experience, esp when not in first month.

Teacher here, and one who was the strategic lead on attendance for a few years. You’re sending out a terrible message to your child and of course he will resent you when he misses out on learning. I know a few families who have an annual holiday in term time every year and they don’t stay ‘above average’, both because of the time missed and the attitude that grows from knowing his parents don’t put education as top priority for those five short years.

Your children are not school age forever, and like the rest of us you can either not go away, or go shorter time, or go somewhere cheaper.

When the dc have left home then you can go on out of school term holidays

Parent here! You know your own kid and if they will reset you for taking them to Disney land for two week

@Mosschopz

Teacher here, and one who was the strategic lead on attendance for a few years. You’re sending out a terrible message to your child and of course he will resent you when he misses out on learning. I know a few families who have an annual holiday in term time every year and they don’t stay ‘above average’, both because of the time missed and the attitude that grows from knowing his parents don’t put education as top priority for those five short years.

What must all our children think of us all, considering education has not been a priority at all, let alone top, for 18 months?

It’s not even about affording a holiday in school hols for me. It’s about going at quieter times and enjoying the holiday more.

You and everybody else!!

Oooh let's all go in November! Oh. Wait. Then it'll be busy then too. That won't work - OP is special, she's better than the rest of us and needs to go when no one else is.

And another point is we all want our kids to go to a school with a good ofsted but l always thought poor attendance affects a school's ofsted grading - so yes OP could do this but if others did the same it would drag their grading down which could mean the school ends up being the one with the poor ofsted that nobody wants to go to.

Very unreasonable. He needs to be in school not going on rides.

I know loads of people who go away in term time. I take mine out every year. education is obviously important but there is also more to life. I think most of us went away in school time growing up and have turned out ok.

It would be U I think to go so you're there for the start of year 7 as that's when all the settling in type stuff happens. Otherwise no. The past year and a bit have shown that attendance is not everything. Family first.

We're taking ds out week before October half term next year due to having to change our holiday 3 times due to covid I wouldn't do it beginning of school year though.

If education was given the funding and supports it needs, if teachers were far better respected and paid, and schools were fabulous places for kids with lots of amenities, and etc. then the kids would not want to go anywhere in term time would they?

Anyway I would have no issue whatsoever taking kids out of school for holidays during the school year. The last 18 months have come and gone, and all is well despite non attendance in the classroom.

OP you do not need the permission of Mumsnet. Just do what you feel is best and enjoy. There are far too many rules and regs in a child's life as it is. Two weeks won't impact them at all. Life is short.

It's unreasonable and will be unauthorised.

How will you arrange for him to catch up ?

Primary might be more understandable, although not something I would do. Secondary definitely not.

@Candyfloss99

Yes you are being very unreasonable and your child will resent you for it when he goes back to school and has missed out on 2 weeks interaction with his classmates and the dynamics have changed. Not everything is about money.

Funny because I got taken out of school for 2 weeks every year for a family holiday and I never resented my dad for doing it.

What an odd comment

No, that’s a very unreasonable thing to do.

and your child will resent you for it when he goes back to school and has missed out on 2 weeks interaction with his classmates and the dynamics have changed

Er as someone who often missed school for a holiday (not exam important yrs) I never resented my parents

I'd do it as one special holiday but probably not every year, especially at secondary age.

Oh now, this is priceless! Please let him be coming to my school! Our head will decline your application for a holiday and our attendance officer will eat you alive when it comes to light that your 2 weeks absence was for a holiday. It WILL come to light as someone will blab, they always do. Teachers won't be setting and marking work for him during this time, having sent him off with a pack of work and a benign pat on the head, and if you think the online homework portal is your salvation here then you're mistaken.

Better hope that your child doesn't have any genuine illnesses during the rest of the year as if attendance drops lower than 90% you'll be taking a lot of time off work to attend review meetings for your supported attendance plan. I'll be there to meet you, and if a holiday has been involved I won't be giving you an easy ride.

You might also want a rethink before GCSE courses start in Y10 as there's research to show that 2 weeks missed during each GCSE year equates to a drop of at least 1 grade.

Is Florida in November really worth it?

Couldn’t relax knowing kids should be in school neither could they. I don’t know any family that is supportive of their children’s education that do this with the exception of pre year 5 skiing trips.

@veeeeh

If education was given the funding and supports it needs, if teachers were far better respected and paid, and schools were fabulous places for kids with lots of amenities, and etc. then the kids would not want to go anywhere in term time would they?

Anyway I would have no issue whatsoever taking kids out of school for holidays during the school year. The last 18 months have come and gone, and all is well despite non attendance in the classroom.

OP you do not need the permission of Mumsnet. Just do what you feel is best and enjoy. There are far too many rules and regs in a child's life as it is. Two weeks won't impact them at all. Life is short.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@HarrietSchulenberg

Oh now, this is priceless! Please let him be coming to my school! Our head will decline your application for a holiday and our attendance officer will eat you alive when it comes to light that your 2 weeks absence was for a holiday. It WILL come to light as someone will blab, they always do. Teachers won't be setting and marking work for him during this time, having sent him off with a pack of work and a benign pat on the head, and if you think the online homework portal is your salvation here then you're mistaken.

Better hope that your child doesn't have any genuine illnesses during the rest of the year as if attendance drops lower than 90% you'll be taking a lot of time off work to attend review meetings for your supported attendance plan. I'll be there to meet you, and if a holiday has been involved I won't be giving you an easy ride.

You might also want a rethink before GCSE courses start in Y10 as there's research to show that 2 weeks missed during each GCSE year equates to a drop of at least 1 grade.

Is Florida in November really worth it?

Wow. Some really spiteful posters on here.

We have discussed this and our son is only bloomin starting reception in sept.

I dont think its about the fines or the missing of school if your child is ahead academically. For us its about respect for the school that is educating your child. If you show them bo respect and then require their support or help, this may well then be given reluctantly.

In our welcome zoom meeting our sons soon to be head,,made it very clear any absence in term time is unauthorised and not at all acceptable, hes standing out his stall early on !!!