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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Students to be taken out of school for holidays

193 replies

Spinachandcheese1 · 26/04/2024 12:12

To clarify, I am mum of two young kids - not yet primary school age!

I am a bit puzzled on this hot topic on whether students should be allowed to be taken out of school for holidays mid-term...

Surely, holidays are less expensive mid-term, but how can a kid miss whatever is taught at school/miss homework/miss new topics that they will learn, just to go on holidays?

How will this kid be examined at at school test in this "lost" knowledge at a later day? For example, if they learn about the rivers of the UK or about decimals in maths or a historic event and then the kids will have to somehow know all these things that they would have learnt in this "missed week", how would that happen?

Please forgive if I am worried unnecessarily, as I said I don't have school aged kids to know what's happening but this is something that concerned me.

AIBU - Kids won't learn anything important in a week that will have an impact

AINBU - Kids will struggle to catch up academically on their return

OP posts:
Wonderfulstuff · 26/04/2024 21:26

I missed 2 weeks every year through primary school. My parents run a small business and always give their employees first dibs on the school holidays so it was term time or nothing for us. To be able spend with time my parents which, as they were working so hard, was rare and precious had just as significant impact on my life outcomes as learning about roman mosaics. Probably because of that I feel pretty relaxed about my own DC missing school for a family holiday if and when the opportunity arose. Which it won't this year! I also run a tight ship on sickness absence... because what working parents doesn't?

Unsurprisingly I think the criminal charges that are going to be introduced from August are ridiculous and total over kill and aren't going to really get to the nub of the attendance issues or increase academic attainment.

Ioverslept · 26/04/2024 21:27

I don't agree with taking children out of school for holidays on principle for a few reasons but I think the missed learning is relative, even if they have 100% attendance they won't remember everything they learn in school, they are sometimes away due to illness, and things get revised. Holidays can also be great learning experiences but I also think it is unfair on the children to take them out on holiday and sends a mixed message. But the worst thing in my opinion is that prices in school holidays are ridiculous in the UK, not just a bit more expensive but double the cost. It is unfair on families and puts many in a difficult position.

Sooooootired01 · 26/04/2024 21:36

Do the school staff get to take holidays in school time too?!! Excellent!

Horsesontheloose · 26/04/2024 21:46

Personally I wouldn't take them out of school for a week or more for a holiday. They are already hardly there. Notice that kids also get birthdays off as well! I want my kids to do well and good attendance is key to this. Plus my kids would worry about what they were missing as they actually like school.

Ioverslept · 26/04/2024 21:49

Sooooootired01 · 26/04/2024 21:36

Do the school staff get to take holidays in school time too?!! Excellent!

I agree, teachers' families suffer from inflated costs too and don't have the choice! I know an academy trust that have introduced a "wellbeing day" for teachers to take one day a year for themselves. I think as a society we are embracing that a lot more people can work flexibly but that would be so impractical to apply to school settings. Anyway, we are going off topic here but I think as a society the idea of flexibility and prioritising wellbeing over productivity are becoming a lot more normalised.

Bennettsister · 26/04/2024 23:11

JSMill · 26/04/2024 20:04

Are there any actual teachers/TAs commenting on this? I have worked across all primary year groups and I can tell you absences for holidays do set children back. Also parents rarely do this just once during a child's school career. Usually the same parents take their DCs out year after year so over the long term, it does affect them. I would also like to add that Foundation and year 1 are the most vital years for attendance. They learn so much, it's hard for children who are absent for long periods to properly catch up.

Me - I’ve posted several times. All of my posts were called silly/unfair/pretentious(?)

CatamaranViper · 26/04/2024 23:32

Sooooootired01 · 26/04/2024 21:36

Do the school staff get to take holidays in school time too?!! Excellent!

Sorry but teachers know this is the case when choosing to get into the industry.

I know you can argue that parents also know this when choosing to enroll their child in a school, but many of us also know that we will face a fine plus make up the time lost and factor this into our decision (still cheaper than booking a holiday during the holidays).

School staff know that they won't get the time off and it will impact their wages and potential future employment.

spriots · 27/04/2024 07:26

CatamaranViper · 26/04/2024 23:32

Sorry but teachers know this is the case when choosing to get into the industry.

I know you can argue that parents also know this when choosing to enroll their child in a school, but many of us also know that we will face a fine plus make up the time lost and factor this into our decision (still cheaper than booking a holiday during the holidays).

School staff know that they won't get the time off and it will impact their wages and potential future employment.

Show quote history

Yes exactly.

It's a bit like saying teachers should pay for school holiday childcare because the rest of us have to and otherwise it isn't fair.

Every job has its own balance of pros and cons.

I don't take my children out of school in term time but "poor teachers can't" isn't why

Sooooootired01 · 27/04/2024 09:42

Yes, let's allow you all to take your kids out of school to go on lovely holidays for two weeks when it's affordable, but as an HLTA on £11.60 p/h with 3 kids of my own don't worry about me! I'll just carry on teaching your kids!

CelesteCunningham · 27/04/2024 09:44

Sooooootired01 · 27/04/2024 09:42

Yes, let's allow you all to take your kids out of school to go on lovely holidays for two weeks when it's affordable, but as an HLTA on £11.60 p/h with 3 kids of my own don't worry about me! I'll just carry on teaching your kids!

I mean, I'd be more than happy for school staff to have annual leave to use during the school year, but lots of adults have restrictions on when they can take their leave. I can't go away when I'm teaching or when we have exam boards (February, June and August). Accountant FIL and BIL work over Christmas and 7 days a week in Jan. Some people have to work on Christmas Day. That's life.

Sooooootired01 · 27/04/2024 10:10

@CelesteCunningham But the difference with school staff is we are never permitted to have ANY leave whatsoever outside of the school holidays. And a lot of jobs in education are poorly paid so this means we simply can't afford to take our own children on holiday.

CelesteCunningham · 27/04/2024 10:13

I know that but I don't see what it has to do with other parents taking their DC out.

Term time holiday plus holiday childcare Vs no childcare plus school holiday vacation probably doesn't have much in it financially anyway!

All jobs have pluses and minuses. Highly restricted holidays are a minus of yours.

Sooooootired01 · 27/04/2024 10:18

@CelesteCunningham You are aware we don't get paid for the "extra" holiday we get? We only get statutory holiday pay the same as everyone else.

CelesteCunningham · 27/04/2024 10:27

Where on earth do you think I've said you get paid?

You don't pay for childcare during the school holidays. I do. You probably don't pay for childcare after school either. I do.

That's fine, I don't think you should somehow be penalised because of my eye watering childcare bills.

I don't know why you think I shouldn't get a cheap holiday just because you can't.

If you want to start a thread complaining that teachers and TAs don't get paid enough then fine, I'll be right there agreeing with you. But it's nothing to do with this thread.

Sooooootired01 · 27/04/2024 10:28

@CelesteCunningham Yes I do have to also pay for before and after school childcare. My day starts at 8.30 and finishes at 4pm.

CelesteCunningham · 27/04/2024 10:29

Sooooootired01 · 27/04/2024 10:28

@CelesteCunningham Yes I do have to also pay for before and after school childcare. My day starts at 8.30 and finishes at 4pm.

Ok?

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