Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

taking children out of school for holidays is ILLEGAL

588 replies

zippitippitoes · 08/03/2006 10:03

interesting news report here \link{http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2075270,00.html\ High Court Ruling}

so will anybody still be taking those unauthorised breaks and days off?

Will schools get tougher

and does your school say no at the moment?

OP posts:
Blu · 13/03/2006 13:15

I'm middle class, we can''t afford to go abroad in school hols - so we are going camping in the UK.

But that's my choice.

If one of us couldn't get time off work during school hols, we would take DS out for a week.

I do think making laws about it is a bit OTT.

quanglewangle · 13/03/2006 13:18

A round of applause for custardo !!!! Grin

philippat · 13/03/2006 19:00

i sorry custy but that's bollocks, if you want 5 days of fun with your family in school holidays you can find a way, it might just not be a mark warner-style week in the sun

tiredemma · 13/03/2006 20:46

why does everyone keep going on about Mark Bloody Warner holidays???? Ive yet to ever meet one person who has been away with this company,- and i work in travel!!!

A mark warner holiday is not important to me at all, but as custy says- getting 5 days with my family is.

Tortington · 13/03/2006 20:56

yes i could papier mache or take them to the swimming baths, its hardly a substitute for a holiday.

and the holidays we have gone on for 8 years have been camping holidays becuase we cant afford package holidays anyway. now we wont be able to afford to go camping either.

spidermama · 13/03/2006 20:57

Good post Custy albiet peppered with dodgy stereotypes about organic, middle class wankers. Grin

For me the money thing doesn't really come in to it. I KNOW we will probably never be able to afford to go abroad or to a proper holiday camp (cos we spend all our money on organic food Wink). Holidays for us are camping in the New Forest or in a portacabin somewhere else if we're really flush, and I love them.

For me it's more to do with the fact that we have to take our windows of time together when they come up. We can never plan ahead as my dh's job means he's almost always on call. If the only time we get a clear week is in term time then fine. I'm fully 100% confident my kids will have a better, more educating and fulfilling time on a family jaunt.

What's more I don't understand those people up in arms about it. It has no effect whatever on your children. You're just jealous because deep down you'd love to break the rules and take your kid out in term time but you're too chicken or too anal to do it.

Blandmum · 13/03/2006 20:59

Dare I admit this?

We went on one many years ago when dd was 2. I was a SAHM, and totaly knackered, with no family or other support. It was a life saver to have a break .

Nowerdays we go camping Grin

Spend less, have more fun, but our needs are different the kids are older.

harpsichordcarrier · 13/03/2006 20:59

I agree with custy
as per bloody usual
AND my dh is an accountant Smile

Rhubarb · 13/03/2006 21:00

I agree with Custy 110%. I think some people truly believe that poverty is just made up, they have no idea what it's like to struggle and think that we just exaggerate when we tell them. Even camping holidays cost money, and this goes up during school holidays.

I for one will be breaking the fecking law, how dare they tell me what to do with my children! When I can and cannot take them on holiday! Ridiculous!

(and I would never bake a cake - honest!)

ma2cra · 13/03/2006 21:02

What's the difference between me taking my lads out of school for a week's holiday.........and the five days my eldest has missed this year through the teachers at his school going on strike?

Blandmum · 13/03/2006 21:03

which union was out on strike? NASUWT didn't and deither did the NUT or the PAS

(I mut have slept through this one!)

spidermama · 13/03/2006 21:04

My name is Spidermama and I am a cake baker.
It's cheaper and nicer than buying them in the supermarket, OK?

Rhubarb · 13/03/2006 21:05

Any more want to own up to this? Come on, we can help you know!

What's a cake without all those E numbers added? And who can be arsed with all that measuring and mixing lark? Might be cheaper but just think of the wasted labour when you could be watching the telly!

niceglasses · 13/03/2006 21:07

Do Thomas the tank engine packet mixes count? If so I'm a vertiable Delia....

ma2cra · 13/03/2006 21:10

It was NASUWT.

Rhubarb · 13/03/2006 21:11

I vote Custy for government!

niceglasses · 13/03/2006 21:12

I'd love to hear Blair say "its all tits up". So refreshing. So True.

motherinferior · 13/03/2006 21:12

I am always somewhat amazed by the people who take their kids on holidays with any educational value. Personally my big aim for holidays is to doss in the sun, with a glass of something fabulous to hand.

But then I am not terribly sure I am actually the best person to make decisions for my children, on holidays or anything else; frankly, other parents' assurance on this point gobsmacks me most of all.

Blandmum · 13/03/2006 21:13

When? I'm in the NASUWT and we were not called out! Was it a local thing????

ma2cra · 13/03/2006 21:15

Yes, it was a localised dispute involving three schools in my area.

ma2cra · 13/03/2006 21:16

Last September/October - just as my eldest started at High School.

Blandmum · 13/03/2006 21:17

Right! I thought I wouldn't have missed a more generalised thing! Smile

Just out of interest, what was it over (being nosey)

ma2cra · 13/03/2006 21:18

Performance related pay.

motherinferior · 13/03/2006 21:18

...I mean, I don't say, 'they're MY kids and I'll whack them whenever I want'...

fob · 13/03/2006 21:24

I'm having a few days holiday in my nana's caravan in fleetwood this year with dh and ds.
I hate inset days - give me a holiday anytime.
and a polite point - teachers are here to teach - not a glorified child minder service. Wink

ps

custardo - who's your agent? a column in a daily beckons.....Grin

Swipe left for the next trending thread