To think about taking kids on summer holiday in term time?

[Summer2024]

Kids are 8 and 6. They haven’t been on a ‘beach holiday’ outside the U.K. except once when DC1 was a toddler.

We would love to take them on one of those all-inclusive Holiday Village or similar resorts with slides, kid’s entertainment, close to beach etc. we’ve been looking to book in summer 24 but unfortunately we just cannot justify the (Minimum) £5k this would cost in the summer holidays. It’s about half price in term time, so thinking next June.

my parents would also love to join us (and provide some free-babysitting when we are there!) but are unable/unwilling to pay the August prices. They do go on a European holiday every year and are used to term time prices.

the LA (if they enforce a fine) would charge us £240 (£60 per child per parent for the entire absence). Which is a drop in the ocean compared to some of the cost savings.

their attendance is pretty good, they don’t get sick often. So haven’t missed much school when it’s been open. WIBU to take them out for a holiday?

No they won’t miss much at that age. I would go for it

I’d do it. Just be honest with the school though, otherwise your kids will tell them! It’ll be unauthorised of course, but it’s only a week.

Do it. Be prepared for a stupid fucking fine. You’ll still save a fortune.

I would. I have done.

cue all the teachers telling us what disruption I’ve caused.

Just do it. It's absolutely fine. Have a great holiday.

I wish we'd have done it this year. My 6 year old spent most of the last week of school watching movies.

Thank you all - these replies are reassuring that I’m not thinking of doing something terrible!

Definitely do it. We do, otherwise we'd not get a holiday. Now my ds has 2 years of gcse's, we won't be able too. At those ages it's not a problem.

I wouldn’t do it, but plenty of people do.

Ex teacher.
I have done it when on maternity leave! I wouldn’t take them out every single year for two whole weeks or more. But a one off? I would.

I wouldn’t but I don’t think it’s unreasonable of you to.

No I wouldn't do it. Kids don't need beach holidays, they'd be happy anywhere.

I will do the same next summer. Flight prices alone are ridiculous during term time. One week makes no difference to their academic performance. My DC did nothing significant at school after their reports on 3rd July.

I've done it, they threatened a fine but it never came!

I'm doing the same. I'm a single mum of 3. I got lucky this year and took them away the first week of the school holidays for their first holiday abroad as my Mum helped with the costs. Next year I'm taking them out in June. Worth the fine.

I didn't do it but wish I had in retrospect!

I’m in Ireland and we don’t get fined if we take our kids out. Most years I took mine out for 2 or 3 weeks in May or June for our family holiday. When we started doing it I’d bring workbooks for them to do while travelling but gave up on that as even the teachers said there was no need. All kids did very well academically and taking them out had no effect on their education.

I am planning on taking mine out next year for a few days, they are of similar age. I've never done it before but we just can't afford a holiday otherwise next year!

Just checking your calculation though, I thought it was £60 per parent per child. So £120 per day (2 parents) for 5 days x 2 children is £1200. Unless I've got that wrong? (Although I assuming you are both working as it's per working parent I believe).

I do it, no longer than a week but probably every other year. I don’t always get annual leave in the school holidays due to how it’s allocated- like hell we are all going a whole year without some sunshine. I feel we all get the very best of each other when we are away- book it, enjoy every second and factor the fine into the cost of you holiday!

Apologies I meant it's £60 per day, not per absence?

Do it.

I'm of the mindset that family time is as important as school work and they can learn a lot about relationships whilst on holiday so they're not missing out on anything, they're just learning something else.

I’m an ex teacher and I do it. Make sure to look carefully at the school calendar to ensure they’re not missing an event or Yr2 SATS/Yr4 times table check.

@BearKey its £240 for two children. £60 per parent (even if separated) per child- £240 in total. If you can get them in for 1 register (morning/afternoon) in the same week you won’t get fined.

We got as far as Yr 8 saying we never would but this year I've cracked for Oct. Missing 2 days and saving £1200.

It’s a good idea actually and they’re your children you can do what you want