Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DC out of school for two weeks for a holiday?

253 replies

CroccyWoccy · 28/10/2023 22:44

Thinking about taking the family on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday next year, but having looked into it, we would have to take the DC out of school for a fortnight to make it work.

They have good attendance record - I have never taken them out for any reason before and they are rarely sick.

I was hoping we could do the holiday only taking them out for 5 days, but it isn’t feasible, to make it work they would need to miss two weeks (though one day is an inset day, so 9 days in total).

Is this too long? Either in terms of lost education or the amount of trouble we’d be in? DC will be Y6 and Y3, holiday would be tacked onto October half term.

OP posts:
Iloveshoes123 · 28/10/2023 22:50

For Y6 my only worry would be sats but it's early on and if you are happy they could catchup/are ahead I would go for it.
If you are in England you will v likely be fined though - £60 per child per parent.

smilesup · 28/10/2023 22:54

Totally do it! We have a couple of times with ours over the years.
They have done amazingly academically and caught up no trouble

Their schools allowed it twice.

smilesup · 28/10/2023 22:54

Ps don't worry about SATs.

Starmoonsu · 28/10/2023 22:55

Yabu two weeks is too long

AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 22:55

I wouldn’t worry about SATs. Look into your LA fining policy though- it could stack up for 2 children over that many days.

Original poster
CroccyWoccy · 28/10/2023 23:05

AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 22:55

I wouldn’t worry about SATs. Look into your LA fining policy though- it could stack up for 2 children over that many days.

SATS had crossed my mind, but I thought 2 weeks in October in Y6 would be better than two weeks in secondary. For various reasons, it feels like if we were ever going to do it, now would be the time.

I’d convinced myself that missing a week was OK, but two does feel like a long time to miss!

OP posts:
Fooksticks · 28/10/2023 23:10

Mine have missed 2 weeks due to holidays. It is a long time but for us it was necessary. Dh hadn't seen his family in 4 years due to Covid.

I'm in Aus though and we only had to inform the school, not ask permission. The principal actually said family is so important, enjoy your holiday.

Totaly · 28/10/2023 23:12

Two weeks before the half term is preferable to the two weeks after.

Snowdropcow · 28/10/2023 23:12

Sounds amazing and would be a no brainer for me. In the grand scheme of things it won’t majorly disrupt their education if it’s a one off and it’ll be memories to last a lifetime!

justasmalltownmum · 28/10/2023 23:13

2 weeks is a lot. That could be whole topics in some subjects. I would one week school missed and then one week half term.

BethDuttonsTwin · 28/10/2023 23:15

I always did when mine were younger. Only stopped for the GCSE years.

LostMySocks · 28/10/2023 23:18

If you do go away remember that school applications for secondary close in late October with open days in September and early October unless you do them in Y5.

Lilacdressinggown · 28/10/2023 23:20

The trouble is the children might miss a significant stage/new concept in maths or English. The ground work of more complicated concepts are laid at primary and that can make it harder further down the line of they have missed an early step.
I think it is unfair if you expect an already overworked teacher to give up their own time to help your children catch up by sending you details of what they will miss whilst away, or spending lunch or after school time to help them catch up when they get back.
As long as you are okay with them potentially having gaps in their learning then take them.

Kitkat1523 · 28/10/2023 23:22

AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 22:55

I wouldn’t worry about SATs. Look into your LA fining policy though- it could stack up for 2 children over that many days.

The fine doesn’t go up the more time you have off….my DD is taking her 2 DD to Australia for 6 weeks at Christmas….it will be the same fine if it was only 2 weeks….as it goes, the head teacher just said….I can’t authorise but have a good time and don’t worry there will be no fine.

AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 23:24

If you are fined it is usually per child per day. The fine doesn’t come from the school it comes from the LA and they generally have a published policy about when they fine which varies by county.

NancyDrooo · 28/10/2023 23:26

Do it. You really can’t when they go to secondary school, it’s very frowned upon. Ask their teachers if there’s any homework they can take with them, or a particular topic to research or book they can read while away.

Fairospop22 · 28/10/2023 23:29

Take them out. Only put one parent name on the form for the fine

AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 23:32

I’ve just googled my own advice and it seems I’m wrong it isn’t per day it is per parent and child though. They also have to issue you a warning first. Rest of my advice still stands though.

AppleKatie · 28/10/2023 23:33

PS- DONT ask the school for work to take with you that’s not on making more work the the teacher. Make the trip as educational as you like don’t expect the teacher to do it for you.

SD1978 · 28/10/2023 23:39

I would, I do, and it has had no bearing on their education.

KissyMissy · 28/10/2023 23:44

I've done it, (y2 and y9)
Luckily no fine for us!
Go for it!

HeddaGarbled · 28/10/2023 23:48

”Once-in-a-lifetime” holidays can be taken at any point in their lifetimes. Why now?

VioletMountainHare · 28/10/2023 23:49

Do Y6 have a residential trip? If your DC is very keen to go on a residential with their class if wait until you know the dates for that.

Agree that two weeks before half term is better than missing the first two weeks back.

VioletMountainHare · 28/10/2023 23:49

*I’d wait

Sailawaytocromer · 28/10/2023 23:50

I wouldn’t. I’m pretty shocked by the responses so far. It’s unfair on your children and really disrespectful to their teachers. It makes more work for them.

Cant you go away on a 3 week holiday in the summer?