To consider booking our family holiday during 'term' time?

[ConnieComplaint]

Hi,

I'm sure this comes up often but I just don't know what to do.

My dh & I both work full time. DD is 7 (year 3 at school) & ds is at playgroup (so his attendance isn't essential.

Anyway, we were planning our family holiday in July (when dd would be off on her holidays) but our c/minder told me today she is having a weeks holiday in June, leaving me with the dilemma of booking a week off in June & no family holiday in July.

I couldn't take two weeks off so close together as I need to spread the holidays out from April to April & dd has sports days & doctor appointments.. plus I need to keep some days so I can use them if the children are ill
So I am left with the option of booking the week in June off work & holidaying ourselves at this time..the problem there is dd is still at school... she doesn't finish until the last day of June.

Dh says she won't be learning anything at the end of the school term anyway & we'd be mad to miss out on our holiday because I am cautious of keeping holidays so I have the days if the children (or me!) are ill.

WWYD? I don't want the school on my back as dd has a very good attendance record thus far, and I know other children who go on holiday in February & June so it's not totally unheard of here... but I keep thinking we shouldn't take her out of school.

lol - you have booked, you are going - end of.
You appreciate his concerns, but have explained your situation and would rather spend this time discussing your ds and his progress during the year to date.
don't get riled, there is no point - you will only get upset, nothing will change and you won't have made the best use of the time. Equally don't belittle him either.

ROFL Is it ok if I just think bad things and dont say them? x

oh yes - THINK whatever you want, just don't let those thoughts pop out.

The statute is the Education Regulations 2006 (I think - I'd have to google it).

is the school oversubscribed ? If not (and this thing is REALLY bugging you) deregister him before you go and register him again when you get back.

Our local school deregisters anyone who has more than 10 days unauthorised absence; be very sure there will be a place for your child next year and that his/her place has not been given to the first child on the waiting list. It can happen. (Of course, if there is no waiting list, then you don't have an issue.)

we always take time out in June for our family holiday, and also this year we are taking her out the last week before christmas. We dont celebrate christmas and the last week is hell for her as she hates change (shes being assessed for AS). Like to see them stop me!!

I haven't read the whole post so apologies if someone has already advised this but...

a school does have discretion to grant up to 10 days leave in any academic yr. My sons school have absence request forms outside the reception and they keep record of such requests/authorisations and any that are declined.

Just ask at the school office

DS1's school has inferred that they would only authorise absences if they are for date-specific events such as weddings and funerals and therefore cannot be attended during school holidays.