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?

We took our DC to Florida during term time (January/February)when they were at primary school.One of their teachers actually said DC would get more out of a 2 week holiday like that than they would in the classroom.We didn't get a fine (we're in Scotland)
I wouldn't take a child on holiday in term time once they were at secondary school.

Unbelievable.

Two weeks out of secondary school, every years, so you don’t have to wait in line at Disneyland!

Some people live in a parallel universe.

Is he at a publicly funded school?

It would be more reasonable to do one week of half term and one week out of school. We went in February half term and it worked out well

I’m not sure why you’ve bothered asking as you’re clearly going to do it anyway! For what it’s worth avoid him missing the first term of secondary school

Take him out the last 2 weeks of year 6.

@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?

You sound like you’d be marvellous fun at a dinner party.

Just a thought, if every parent took their child/children out of school , during term time, whenever it suits, what would be the impact?

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.

OMG, do you honestly not think that we all feel the same?! Teachers included?

And you're planning on doing this every year? Surely this is a wind up?

Pp who didn't like what Harriet had to say...you may not like it, but she's 100% correct in how this is treated by schools. A one off at primary, or even at secondary, might be understandable but more than that is going to be taken very seriously. Schools take a very dim view of anything that will unnecessarily affect a pupil's life chances, even if parents aren't that bothered because, you know, less queues.

Not unreasonable at all from me. We go on holiday in term time at least twice a year. I pay the fine and enjoy my holiday.

Do it.

@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?

You're lovely!

However back in the real world there isn't a lot the school can actually do if the local authority threshold for fine/further action is over 10days for instance (like it is where i am). I'm not sure what you expect would happen from all those stern talks or 'action plans'. In the ops shoes I'd simply be upfront that it is for a holiday and that's it. No hiding,no faffing.

Personally i think 2 weeks during term time at secondary is a bit pushing it. But then again i don't think it's the end of the world either.

@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?

Your school sounds awful. What a great way to encourage attendance.

Personally, I wouldn't dream of taking my son out of school. Education is so important and I think it sends out the wrong message to the child.

@Flowerlane
That's exactly why staff end up having to do 1:1 catch up sessions so that children can keep up.

You do you.

@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?

God what a awful person you sound if I had to deal with someone like you you would also not be getting a easy ride either. I wouldn’t let someone talk to me like a child! Im a fully grown adult thank you.

Also I would only be attending meetings that I was able to attend I would not be dictated to that I had to attend and miss work because you choose that I have to. I will decided for myself when I miss work.

[quote DroopyClematis]@Flowerlane
That's exactly why staff end up having to do 1:1 catch up sessions so that children can keep up.

You do you. [/quote]
Strange…my child has never had to do one to one lessons because we have been on holiday.

I have also spent times working in schools and not seen this happen.

So that’s a lie not all children need one to one because they have been on holiday.

@caughtinanet my point was that Florida is not a cheap trip and if the op was going term time to save money then Florida is still going to cost a bomb...sorry maybe l didn't word it right and actually l don't think money is the issue here anyway x

We always take ours out ... (I won't if it's gcse year)
I take them out as it's a lot cheaper - and we never ever get school holidays off I'm rostered holidays and get them once every 6years... we can't swap etc so we always go when my holidays are. Go have a great time! We love Florida!!!

Seems like your mind is made up so a bit pointless to post then keep justifying your decision to go on holiday.

Hey what’s 10 weeks out of school over 5 years of senior school, not like exams are important.

‘It’s too busy in holidays’ aah poor you. Bet you’d be annoyed if his teacher swanned off on a two week holiday when they were supposed to be teaching him.

Are you following the news on Covid numbers in Florida? You’d be mad to plan a holiday there anything else aside.

I’d also rather go on hols outside of school hols

I imagine most people would rather go outside of school holidays - but imagine if they all did! Honestly, school holidays are when you are supposed to take holidays, unless there is a very good reason to take them in term time. Why do you think you are so special

I used to be against this but since Covid I say do it. We are for a week next year. If it was in holidays it would be twice as much.
YANBU

[quote DroopyClematis]@Flowerlane
That's exactly why staff end up having to do 1:1 catch up sessions so that children can keep up.

You do you. [/quote]
Haha no it's not.

I find OP's attitude rude and disrespectful. Especially if the secondary school was oversubscribed and others who might have valued the place more didn't get the opportunity you're now happy to waste. I also wouldn't want my child's teacher trying to fill in the gaps during lessons for someone whose parents thought the only detriment to a 2 week term-time break was the fine.

I have no issue with taking kids out of school in term time and have done it quite a few times when they were very small for a week.
I think they can gain as much on a family holiday as a week in school , i don't care what anyone thinks of me .
But i would never take a kid out school in their 1st weeks of secondary school ,such an important time to make friends , learn the routines , settle in etc.

As a one off maybe. Every year no way. My own parents took me out a few days before the end of term a few times as that saved a lot of money. But I probably missed about 10 days tops out of the whole of secondary and never more than 3 in a row.