To think the penalties for term time absence is ridiculous..

[JKbowling]

I got this in my email inbox today, sent to all parents and guardians.

"Failure to safeguard a child's education" appearing on your DBS, really?

As for term time holidays. If a family can't afford to pay for their one measly UK break per year to be had during the 6 weeks holidays (because the prices are hiked right up and become unaffordable) how does school suppose said family is going to pay the fine?

Plus it doesn't really matter how many weeks are available the facts are that it is ridiculously expensive to holiday in the school holidays. If someone's only chance of being to be able to afford a holiday abroad with their children is in term time then they should be able to do this without facing these awful repercussions. It is disgusting tbh.

The evidence is clear that for the overwhelming majority of children it does have a negative impact. And educational standards in the UK are high - not the highest in the world, but definitely not low by any standards. So your premise is wrong.

It still isn't nice being sworn at by a poster. Doesn't make it right does it.

Do you have a link to the evidence that says taking kids out of school for a week has got a negative impact ? Thanks

🙄 it’s very obviously a joke.

No, it absolutely can't control holiday companies pricing. But it could stagger school holidays. Our friends in Ireland break up end of June and return late August, and always do a cheap holiday at start of July.

I would like to this too. I tell you what has more of an impact is the sen children who are not getting the support they need in class or school generally thereby disrupting the class as a whole, because one teacher has to deal with a multitude of situations and issues. How does this affect the class learning

Yes we're in Ireland we always go away first two weeks in July resorts slightly quieter, weather not too hot yet and prices slightly more reasonable.

Someone asked what impact of 1 week off would be in terms of acheivement

https://ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2023/09/absence-and-attainment-in-primary-schools-in-2023/

This link shows correlation between attendance and attainment. As a rough guide 1 week off would equate to 3% reduction in attendance, and a 4% drop in likelihood of reaching expected learning levels.

Yes, I think far too many people think it is baby sitting rather than learning. I have little respect for such people

Trouble is that children are very vulnerable, and when they are not in-school, bad parents have total freedom to abuse their kids up to and including murder, just like Covid.

So I can see why politicians don’t like random non attendance. Politicians need to protect the most vulnerable. Also - radical opinion coming up - holidays abroad are not a necessity let alone a human right.

Why, the business model is based on profitability over the 12 months, peak periods prices are higher to offset the periods of low demand. This also means navigating a whole host of price fluctuations with the additional services needed to provide a holiday. 🙄

Assuming expected learning levels are objectively accurate.
This debate is similar to the speeding hobby-horse which is statically and empirically NOT the number one reason for road deaths.

Because the UK government isn't in a position to control prices charged elsewhere. At most, restrictions could apply to holidays taken in the UK and journeys started here. That would still leave a very substantial part of the holiday market outwith our control.

Yes; we finally have an empty nest and holidayed at the start of July with our uni kids this year. Definitely cheaper and less busy!

I know.
I don't understand why people keep using that avenue.

Thanks 😁

Mmm I think that poster said she was joking, but not everyone who suggests this is.

Stagger holidays between regions. And personally I'm in favour of longer school days, longer holidays.

As for the correlation between attendance and results - head desk. It's the pupils arriving late every day and missing time regularly who struggle. Really not those who go on holiday for a week or catch the flu or have to attend a funeral abroad.

And is attainment the be it and end all anyway? Very debatable.

So it’s like VAT on the savings made for taking holiday term time. Seems fair.

I also think if the curriculum or school model can't accommodate a week off, there's something a bit wrong.

Not at all….kids do no learning in the last week of term….best time to take them out really

don’t we all. Yet the schools are fining parents because kids are missing a week of colouring in.

I agree. Especially in primary school, it makes no difference.

why is it ok for kids to do a school trip in term time? Why is that not doing irreversible damage to their education?

Shouldn’t the organisation fund it in the holidays?

That’s correlation not cause. Studies show time off for holidays abroad and religious festivals have no impact on education. Probably because they tend to correlate with higher income groups