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?

Now you are just making stuff up. I did not say I went away every year. Nor did I even say I took my kids out of school. And I certainly didn’t say I don’t ‘connect’ with my kids. But don’t let that stop you being sarcastic and nasty.

I do however understand how difficult it is for many working families who find it difficult to book holiday at the same time, who may find being at home doesn’t feel like a mental break. Who perhaps cannot really switch off when they are continuing their daily routine at home. I know families can suffer illness or have limited time left with loved ones and want to spend time with them. Who maybe don’t live in a nice area or in a nice home. People get less and less quality time with their families and many only get a week or so together let alone an entire summer.

it doesn’t make sense that “funded” short breaks for disabled is outside of school holiday. If it is, and legit funded for disabled, the school should not fine you. The funding org should talk to the school and sort it for you.

How should we pick those ones out and say it's ok for them to regularly miss school from the feckless parents who shouldn't be allowed to?

It's too blurry for me to read clearly. Have I got this right. Mum and dad are both fined?

So, I couldn't care less what the government think these are my children that I'm raising and I know what's best for them and thankfully they've had amazing teachers up to now who agree and understand the importance of travel and life experience

But you shouldn't expect the government to care about your special pleading and come up with a policy that specifically excludes you.

Please look up what’s happening in Afghanistan.

Girls there would give anything for a basic education.

@noblegiraffe If a parent wants to take time out and understand the consequences then that's fine by me. We're all adults after all. Up to them and their kids! Your personal choice if you get upset or angry about it.

yes. They always have been fined. It was always £60 each.
now the fines change and increase up to 3 when you go to court
edit to add it’s not been always. I think from2012 or something like that

Yes.

I'm sure that will go down well with abusive ex spouse's who look for any reason to make the exes life a living hell, and other nuances.

Most primary schools hold sessions that week which help the children get used to the classroom and teacher they will have next year.

Children who miss these sessions can be more disruptive at the start of the year which causes more work for teaching staff.

And in secondaries I imagine they miss out on holiday homework/ projects...

You're scraping the barrel now.

Swim up bar or not, the kids still get to experience travel, airports, different currency, different foods and get to meet people from different countries and cultures.

Even if their parents never left the hotel, they could still experience that.

I have and it's very sad. I still don't think it's relevant to this situation.

the belief that they learn more on a week’s beach holiday than school is the problem- if true it is a damning statement about education in this country, but is pervasive attitudes like yours which signal to kids that education isn’t really that important is certainly a contributing factor.

What are you talking about the government shouldn't be charging anyone. Why do you think im saying they shouldn't charge me but should charge other parents. Are you actually reading these comments or just purposely arguing with everyone for the sake of it 🤔

Low attendance harms kids and particularly deprived kids. Those of you who are happy for attendance at school to be optional are requesting a policy which we know reduces life-chances of deprived kids. As a teacher it is the most infuriating thing. You are making our lives more difficult.

Of course they should have a right to get out of it for a week or two, in other countries it's allowed to take your kids out from school for a holiday and guess what, that doesn't mean their education is irrelevant.

Oh it’s totally irrelevant, however it’s not hyperbole.

It's also really important that they get to experience the airport etc once every year, right?

I wasn't referring to that when I mentioned hyperbole.

The hyperbole was in reference to the statement that parents in this country being desperate to take their children out of education, on account of taking one short holiday during term time.

That's hyperbole.

I agree with the change.

I just think everyone needs to live within their means. There are many holidays I'd like to do if money allowed but I can't afford them. I chose to have children knowing I'd be constrained to school holiday dates and I accept that I have to book a holiday I can afford in those times if I want to go away.

This year (Easter hols) we paid 1070 for a week in Majorca - 2a/2c, Villa, flights and car hire. The same holiday in the May half term rocketed in price because the season had fully opened by then. It's about doing what you can with what you have.
I can't just ignore my employers rules around annual leave so why can I just ignore school's?

I don't Last week if term is generally clearing classrooms watching films etc. The kids that are away are not going to miss anything important

So you're basically saying that education should be optional.

My eldest DC has a complex form of autism and really struggles in crowds/ when it’s busy in the holidays, so was wondering about taking both DC out of school next year so we can all manage a holiday away together. I’d consider it a reasonable adjustment.

I’ve always stuck to the rules and never taken my children out of school- our Local Authority on the other hand…have kept my eldest DC out of school for over a year after failed specialist school placement and had to take legal action. It was found they were in breach of the law but seems it’s one rule for us and another for them!