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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Booked holiday, moved primary school, SATS problem

144 replies

kangaroopelicanartic · 09/05/2023 14:30

I'll try to keep this short.

-booked a holiday this time last year. We are due to go on the 22nd
-was given notice that we had to move house
-moved and had to change the kids' primary school. Notified them of the holiday and was told as it was pre booked it wouldn't be a problem. It was booked for the first school's half term.
-just been notified by the school that my oldest kiddo (he's 7) has sats the same week we're booked to go in holiday
-holiday company will let me move the dates but it's so expensive I simply can't do it. It would double the cost and it's just not possible

I have no idea what else to do. Money is very tight and part of the reason i booked so early was to pay in installments so we can afford to go! Not to mention the house moving costs have totally wiped out my savings.

Any ideas please? It's been such a totally shit few years I was really looking forward to a break!

OP posts:
TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:33

So school has emailled with dates and…

telling you to cancel?

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/05/2023 14:33

Go in your holiday. SATS only matter to the school.

fiftiesmum · 09/05/2023 14:33

Sats are not important for the individual child.

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:33

You had to move all your kids schools once your tenancy ended?

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:34

State schools? And different half terms?

PuttingDownRoots · 09/05/2023 14:35

Yr2 Sats don't have set dates I believe.

Enjoy your holiday.

Original poster
kangaroopelicanartic · 09/05/2023 14:39

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:33

You had to move all your kids schools once your tenancy ended?

Only two kids and as we ended up moving to a different town, yes.

OP posts:
Caterina99 · 09/05/2023 14:39

For a 7 year old doing SATS I wouldn’t cancel my pre booked holiday!

Original poster
kangaroopelicanartic · 09/05/2023 14:39

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:34

State schools? And different half terms?

Two different towns and I think two different local authorities.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 09/05/2023 14:39

Taking all the kids out for a week when you have (presumably) just started will go down well with your new school 😩

I get that money is tight but a holiday isn't a God given right. Go on your holiday but don't feign concern or worry or ask for "any ideas?" (ideas about what??) Just own it.

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:40

kangaroopelicanartic · 09/05/2023 14:39

Two different towns and I think two different local authorities.

Show quote history

You “think” two different authorities?

OP neighbouring primary state schools in the same authority or adjacent will have the same half term.

Shardonneigghhh · 09/05/2023 14:41

Oh i'd stick with the holiday for sure. Sats are of no value to the individual child.

Saffronn · 09/05/2023 14:43

Absolutely do the holiday. Far more important to your kids!

Original poster
kangaroopelicanartic · 09/05/2023 14:43

Crunchymum · 09/05/2023 14:39

Taking all the kids out for a week when you have (presumably) just started will go down well with your new school 😩

I get that money is tight but a holiday isn't a God given right. Go on your holiday but don't feign concern or worry or ask for "any ideas?" (ideas about what??) Just own it.

Thanks for putting the boot in.

OP posts:
Boomboom22 · 09/05/2023 14:43

Being fair she did book over half term just the new school has a different date for half term, can happen a lot in October (my youngest 2 weeks, 1 before then my school I teach in, oldest 2 weeks my week and the one after) and in May when there may be no overlap.
The school will probably redo them once he's back in school so he'll miss lessons, in the heads office. Pretty sure one of mine was ill one day and they said they'd do that, as a teacher I was up for sending him ill like if it was a gcse exam but luckily I called first! He was really ill though not on holiday so not sure if that makes a difference!

Tiswa · 09/05/2023 14:44

Different authorities do have different half terms. I have 2 schools on my road in two different councils and they do have different holidays (including this Christmas where one breaks up 15th and other 21st

OP year 2 SATs are non compulsory and teacher marked. He can make them up. Go on holiday and continue to explain why

ThomasWasTortured · 09/05/2023 14:44

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:40

You “think” two different authorities?

OP neighbouring primary state schools in the same authority or adjacent will have the same half term.

Show quote history

They don’t always.

Weepingwillows12 · 09/05/2023 14:44

In my town half the schools are under one authority and half the other so you can get different half terms. Not always but it happens.

I would stick with your holiday. Sats at age 7 don't mean anything to the child. Maybe ask school if they want your child to do them early or later. In our school it wasn't a formal exam.

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 09/05/2023 14:46

As other op have said, SATS are important to the school and have no bearing on your child.

Original poster
kangaroopelicanartic · 09/05/2023 14:46

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:40

You “think” two different authorities?

OP neighbouring primary state schools in the same authority or adjacent will have the same half term.

Show quote history

Unfortunately in this case the dates are different. I really wish otherwise so I didn't have this stress!

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 09/05/2023 14:47

Apologies I actually didn't read that it was the first schools half term.

In that case I'd just explain to the school that you booked on the proviso the kids were going to be on half term.

The SATS I wouldn't worry about (my older DC missed them due to Covid and my younger DC did them a year ago and I can't even recall getting any results or feedback)

I would however want to foster good relations with the new school so make sure you make it very clear you booked for half term in your previous LA.

LostMySocks · 09/05/2023 14:48

This is the last year for Y2 SATS. This year group are only having it as they missed the reception base line assessment due to Covid and schools/government need something to demonstrate progression.
Our school aren't telling the kids that they are tests, just bigging them up as exciting quizzes in special books

Crunchymum · 09/05/2023 14:51

Taking term time holiday is not allowed in my L.A - SATs or no SATs.

I get its cheaper but missing a week of school isn't ideal. It sets a precedent so I appreciate the blanket rule on it.

I realise @kangaroopelicanartic didn't book to miss school though. and apologised for not reading that pertinent info. Make sure you lament this point to your new school.

WordtoYoMumma · 09/05/2023 14:52

Absolutely go on the holiday. You booked it in half term in good faith and it is completely out of your control that you are now at a school with a different half term break. Let the school know you have a holiday booked making sure they are aware it was half term week for previous area.

I have three kids at three different schools across two boroughs and the holidays definitely do not always match up!!

TuesandThursNero · 09/05/2023 14:54

Summer half term
Monday may 29th to June 2nd

my authority and all adjacent

whats yours op out of interest?

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