Taking DD out of school for holidays - been unauthorised.

[Bunch]

Me and DH have booked a 2 week holiday for next May. DD is in Year 4 and DS in Year R. DS headteacher has authorised his 10 days but DD's headteacher has not. We realise now that we should have had the school authorise it before we booked it but its too late. Apparently it is the week that they have their QCA tests (whatever they are). I know it is Sats time but not until Year 6 so I didn't think it would be a problem. What would everyone do?

Most years I've taken my DCs out of school for holidays for several reasons:-

~ DH works all hours and travels extensively, our holidays have to fit in with his work schedule

~ rip off prices during official school holidays

~ Florida in August is just foul, too hot, too busy, too expensive

~ DCs attendance for the rest of the year is excellent

Maximum of 10 days is fine, it when it gets abused by parents taking DCs for the 10 days then another week here and there through the year, those types of parents spoil it for the rest.

I'm very supportive of DCs schools and mine do copy up work they've missed. We went to Florida at Easter this year, three weeks in total, two weeks (10 days) were school time the last week was Easter holidays, DSs teacher raised an eyebrow and commented that three weeks holidays shouldn't be allowed but hadn't bothered to check the dates, DS pointed out her error, form signed no quibbling.

Enjoy your holiday.

My DD's school have said that they will not authorise holidays taken in term time under any circumstances. In fact they have said that they will only authorise absences for a family bereavement or serious illness of a close family member. They have said not to even bother asking because the answer will be an automatic "no"

Our whole LEA has said that holidays in term time are to be unauthorised. I think it will eventually be country wide.

AbbeyA dd's headmaster said he was following a new directive from government so you are probably right.

I think so, it isn't up to the individual schools in our area, they have been told that they can't authorise holidays and all parents have had a letter.

Me and DH realised last night that it will only be 9 days leave as one of the days the school is closed for election day! Maybe we should leave DD and DS at home with the grandparents so they can continue at school and we'll go off on the holiday of a lifetime without them! Does everyone think that would be better?

"Maybe we should leave DD and DS at home with the grandparents so they can continue at school and we'll go off on the holiday of a lifetime without them! Does everyone think that would be better?"

You had already decided school wasnt important when you booked the holiday so why bother worrying now?

Holdidays of a lifetime can still be booked in the 13 weeks children already get off school.

If we went during the school holidays then their "holiday of a lifetime" would be spent without Daddy.

Bunch maybe a bit more info in your OP would have reduced the amount of flak you've received. If you had posted that a) the holiday was a trip of a lifetime b) could not be taken at any other time and c)your dh's holiday restrictions then the responders would have been better informed. Instead your OP read as if you had booked holiday during term time because you felt like it and were now having second thoughts.

I thought I'd made it clear a bit further down about all the other details. We're not having second thoughts, we just wondered what our 'punishment' might be if anyone had experienced it.

Bunch- some people just post on here to try and make you feel guilty.

I understand the reason for your post. The hols had been unauthroised, and you wantd to know what the procedure was if you continued to go.

I am 100% sure, you are doing the right thing in taking your littlies on a fabulous holiday. An opportunity that is available to you right now, who knows what happens around the corner. Grab the oportunity and enjoy yourselves.

Thank you forevercleaning. You have talked alot of sense on here. Thank you for your advice and opinions. As I said, we are meeting with the head, but we're still planning on going anyway!

We had a letter home from dd's secondary school yesterday about a ski trip that takes place during term time in January. If it is ok for the school to take some children on a holiday (not educational either!) then I don't see why you can't take yours on holiday!

That's true! Thank you dexter!

Our secondary school would NEVER let a ski trip take place during school time, am not sure that it is entirely legal.

Educational visit: Yes.
Holiday: NO

All the 'extra' school trips take place in term time including a trip to Disneyland, activity week in Wales and a watersports trip.
These are all optional trips and I imagine it is legal otherwise they wouldn't be allowed by the local council to go on them!

Happymummyofone, I cannot believe that you think it is better for Bunch's DCs to go on holiday during schools hols but without their father than to go as a family during termtime!

A holiday of a lietime isn't just about what you experience whilst there, it's about the memories you bring home and the wonderful times you share together. But hey, all that can be done just as well without Daddy, right?

I am taking my children out of school for 12 days this september for a family holiday. Although I agree that it is always better to go during school holidays for some of us this isn't possible.
My partner works within the rail industry and because of this has extra work pressure through all of school holidays. He never has time off at christmas and easter and summer are also a no-no for him taking leave. This is the reason for us taking our kids out of school. I don't agree with the extra costs that the travel industry impose during school breaks and i feel for people who can't afford to go during these times. I do think however that if cost is the only reason for taking your kids out of school people should just wait and save until they can afford it.

Oh I remember this thread!
Bunch, how did your trip of a lifetime go???