To take daughter on holiday in term time?

[ELW12]

Exactly what the title says basically.
We were looking at going on holiday during the May half term, but the prices are just so out of reach for us. Daughter is in Reception so this has been the first year of having the issue of school holiday prices, and the problem we face is having to decide on either not going on holiday at all, or taking her out for the week before May half term.
I obviously appreciate education is very important, but surely it is important to make memories as a family as well? If we could afford to take her in half term then of course we would. Is it THAT bad for us to do it during school? I was thinking of asking her teacher if we could take some work with us so she doesn’t massively miss out.
Also, is it best to be honest with the school and just accept the fine? I feel like daughter will be far to excited to not let it slip, and also don’t like the idea of asking her to lie so we can pretend she is ill!

OP - was there ever any question that you weren't going to do this

Life is "bloomin scary" for us all. We would all love to do this but we don't.

But you do you

Yes education is important, but I don't think most parents expect schools to be responsible for all of a child's education. It's perfectly possible for holidays to also be a learning rich experiences.

I was always against it but this year we will be going away for a week after October half term, it's £1000 cheaper so one hell of a jump. They will be just in years 2 and 5 so this is our only chance, we haven't done it before and we are visiting family.

It's not ideal but it is what it is, I don't think it will be hugely detrimental to them in terms of learning. We are just telling school the truth, we are going away to visit family, we aren't asking for work and we won't be making the kids learn anything in terms of school work but they will get to pick up a different language from their relatives and it will be good for them to experience a different country.

In your case if she is fully settled in reception then I would do it. I wouldn't do it right at the beginning of any new school year, in the first half of reception or year 6. High school a bit of a grey area, I think a full week is too much but a day or so at the end of term would probably be OK.

I'm a big believer in school being important but it's also not the be all and end all and sometimes exceptions can be made.

Have all the daft opinions you want. We used to live abroad with different half terms - you've no chance of avoiding kids.

I mean you have 12-14 years of schooling ahead of you. Are you going to do this every year? Also you are setting up your DD to have a superiority complex whereby the rules don't apply to her. Imagine if we all did this and teachers had to help 30 kids catch up on work.

Don't take workbooks to do on holiday. That's not a holiday!

You have half term when you get back. You can do some work with her then.

Enjoy!

We're doing it this year.

Not an important exam year for anyone.

Leaving a couple of days before the start of May half term. Back 1 day late.

I'm always honest with school and DC.

They're top of their class and we have good relationships with the schools and teachers.

Never missed homework or important events.

I really don't stress about it.

So saying it's daft when i choose to take my holidays in September when the schools have just gone back - to see kids there who should be settling into their first day @ school?
To think that is a daft opinion?

School days are precious. They go in a blink of an eye. They have approx 150 days a year at school.

Imagine if teachers did this. "Dear parent, since holidays are expensive, I am forced to take a week out of school to give my own children memories that they cannot possibly get anywhere else at any other time. You will need to look after and educate your own child that week."

How on earth do you manage to avoid all school holidays? You know they differ from region to region and country to country?

Exactly.

If the prices are out of reach, then you can't go. Or at least not on the holiday you want. Buy a tent and have camping holidays instead. Education is essential, and should always be prioritised above holidays.

We took our DS out for 1 week in term time every year when he was at Primary School. We had a specific reason for doing so. This was before all these ridiculous rules and fines came into being. I don't think it did him any harm. We did switch to going away in half term once he was in Secondary school though - as I think it's more important that they don't miss school then.

My kids weren't missing their first day of school though... they were on holiday still.
If school is so precious why is education in such a piss poor state?

Crack on and book if you like but don't ask the teacher for any worksheets, it isn't their responsibility to provide you with work for your child. If you don't want them to fall behind, don't take them out in term time 🤷‍♀️.

School staff all around the country manage holidays around school holidays, I'm sure you can manage too.

Can you go in July? We go the last week of term and 1st week of school holidays. DS misses some bits like the school sports day etc but they don't do a lot of work that week. DS is 10 now so we gave him the choice of a bigger hotel with more slides etc but he misses sports days vs a smaller hotel and we leave the day they break up. DS was happy to miss sports day for the holiday.

Scottish schools on holiday then,
So probably not cheaper!

I wouldn't take them out for a whole week but we dotakehem out for a few fridays over each year for day trips to theme parks or the start of a holiday. Then we never get fined

And if you teach your DC the important of education, they'll be much more likely to be able to afford to go on holiday in school holidays once they're older

Your priority as you've expressed, is experiencing life outside of "just education". So you don't need the approval of others you seek here.

I don't agree with opting in to things and then opting out when it suits, and do get a bit miffed that people feel entitled to experiences at the expense of disruption to other people.

Fines are changing soon to an increased fine and a rolling 3 year period, with the penalties escalating for any unauthorised absence in a 3 year period. So now really is the time if you're minded to do so. There will be consequences that make it more prohibited later. It doesn't matter how you sell it to yourself about life being precious and not knowing what's around the corner. If you chose to opt in to state education, there are legal expectations around attendance.

I'm in Ireland. Teachers are fine if you take kids on term time holidays during the primary school years. In fact, they usually encourage it. 😁

My DD is in secondary we took her out for a transatlantic cruise and trip t9 the states this year we had not planned to but holiday moved several times because of Covid pl told the truth did not get fined. We took her out once (other than the odd day) in primary for just over a week for a us road trip. If I turned the clock back I would take her out every year in primary. My daughter is super intelligent,(gifted and talented program) and she has not lost out from what she missed and was often bored at school . Family values, memories and life experiences are very important alongside a good education.

If you enroll your children into education then they have school holidays, days off inset days etc. they are at school approx 150 days in a year.
School is not optional. Many parents seem to think it is.

I mean if my daughter had a supply teacher for just one week so her teacher could go and have some time for herself and her children, I personally would think fair play go enjoy yourself 🤷🏼‍♀️

By opting into the education system offered to you, often the only one available that does not mean that you have to agree all you have forced upon you. In many case kids go to religious schools but are removed from the religious parts of the school day.