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Original poster

Once in a lifetime trip - 3 weeks off school

935 replies

XMissPlacedX · 14/12/2023 20:27

My daughter has always wanted to go to Disney world Florida, but due to funds I've not been able to afford it. She is 14.

Her aunty who is quite well off and has a daughter the same age (my dd's cousin ) goes to Disney world Florida every 2 years and has offered to take my dd next year for 3 weeks.

The problem is it's the first 3 weeks of the school term ( September 2024). I've asked her if there was anyway of going in the summer holidays and she said it would double their cost and it would be cheaper for them to pay the school fine .

What do I do ? Do I say yes or no ? I would love for my dd to go but am not sure how much the fine would be and what impact missing that amount of school would cause.

I'm really torn

OP posts:
thedamnseason · 14/12/2023 20:41

A week is one thing, but 3 weeks off for GCSE years is ridiculous.
You can't just say yes because she knows about the trip.

bellsandwhistles333 · 14/12/2023 20:42

If she's doing my well and on good track then yes go and enjoy!

Darkenergy · 14/12/2023 20:42

I'd let her go, school isn't everything.

Maryamlouise · 14/12/2023 20:42

Feels like a lot of time out at an important stage of start of exam year so I probably wouldn't

Fantina · 14/12/2023 20:43

As you’ve said it’s Year 11 then absolutely not. She may not be able to catch up. A holiday isn’t worth potentially dropping down a grade at GCSE.

Playdoughcaterpillar · 14/12/2023 20:44

My daughter is 14. No way would I let her miss 3w at the start of Y11. That's bonkers. Unfortunately GCSEs are fairly important. She'll miss loads she won't make up. Maybe one week only, she's old enough to fly back alone.

Londonrach1 · 14/12/2023 20:44

Talk to the school but that's an important year and three weeks is a long time. It's alot to catch up. I think I'm saying no but if your daughter wasn't doing her gcses I'll probably say yes. It's just she got one and half years that are very important.

WalnutBlue · 14/12/2023 20:44

Let her go take the fine.
3 weeks of a once in a lifetime experience is worth.
She has the rest of term to catch up.

WandaWonder · 14/12/2023 20:46

You have made your decision to say yes nothing we say will change it

JellyMouldJnr · 14/12/2023 20:46

Could she go for just one week instead of three?

VegeBurgers · 14/12/2023 20:48

Take the trip.

BrightLightTonight · 14/12/2023 20:48

Sorry, but going to a massive fun fair is not “once in a life time”. Something like tracking lions in the Serengeti, is “once in a life time”. You need to sort priorities and 3 weeks off school for a roller coaster ride, when it will still be there in 20 years …….

HamstersAreMyLife · 14/12/2023 20:48

I usually say no to term time holidays as I think the impact of even a missed week is a lot. I was initially with you when you said once in a lifetime but 3 weeks is too much. If it was 2 weeks in Y7 or Y8 I think I would be tempted but at her age and for that length it's going to be really significant in terms of lost learning. Especially when it's at the start of the year and so much of the foundation is built. It's not once in a lifetime tbh a trip to Disney is attainable and not age restricted so it would be a no from me

Original poster
XMissPlacedX · 14/12/2023 20:48

Thankyou everyone, mixed reactions was what I was expecting. I've got time to think about it so could maybe speak to the school or possibly pay to fly her back early. It really is a tough one.

OP posts:
Hbh17 · 14/12/2023 20:48

Absolutely unreasonable. School is not optional, and it would be a terrible example to set.... basically saying to your child that they can sag off school whenever they like. So irresponsible.

thefirstmrsrochester · 14/12/2023 20:49

After all the sacrifices young folk made these last few years I’d say to take the holiday and to ask if the school can provide the lesson plans for her subjects for the weeks she will be missing.

Shakeylegs · 14/12/2023 20:50

‘Let the suckers pay an extra three grand for following the rules. I know better’.

Christmassss · 14/12/2023 20:50

I wouldn’t/didn’t.

Singleandproud · 14/12/2023 20:51

I would not let her miss three weeks of GCSE work, it doesn't matter how bright she is she will miss crucial content that she won't be able to catch up, at my school that would have been roughly 12 missed lessons in science, maths and English let alone everything else.

Take her to Disneyland Paris during Feb half-term when it's cheaper, it's not the same as Florida but is still great.

It's worth keeping in mind that her attendance percentage will be wrecked Al year, if she feels ill at school you have almost 0 chance of her being sent home whereas a student with a good attendance percentage is more likely to be allowed to go home.

ClemFandangooo · 14/12/2023 20:51

Could she go for a week then come back early and you meet her at the airport?

I'd be okay with one week but not three

VisiblyNot25 · 14/12/2023 20:51

I wouldn’t let mine miss 3wks of their GCSE years.

Quartz2208 · 14/12/2023 20:52

Primary yes of course
7-9 would depend on the child

3 weeks start year 11 absolutely not - I can’t believe those saying yes understand how much will be done in those 3 weeks and that it is year 11.

there is no way the school would provide lesson plans and you wouldn’t be massive,y fined

MrsHamlet · 14/12/2023 20:52

thefirstmrsrochester · 14/12/2023 20:49

After all the sacrifices young folk made these last few years I’d say to take the holiday and to ask if the school can provide the lesson plans for her subjects for the weeks she will be missing.

What use would those be?

CuttingAllTheFlowersStill · 14/12/2023 20:52

Definitely not in September and definitely not in Year 11.

Knackeredmommy · 14/12/2023 20:53

The start of term is the worst time to miss school, especially yr 10/11. Totally understand the expense, but 3 weeks is a lot of teaching time and don't see how she would catch up. My daughter is doing GCSEs this year so I can finally take advantage of low season and have booked a holiday at the end of June.
Can't she wait a bit longer and do it then?