In my position would you go in half term or term time?

[Confuzzledtimestwo]

Hi, I posted on here yesterday asking about booking easyjet for half term.

I'm torn between booking October half term and term time either start of October or beginning of November.

I have three children, one starting Year 7 in September, one starting Year 9 in September and the eldest starting Year 11 in November.

All middle to top set, all homework always handed in on time, no negative behaviour points and all have always had 100% attendance BUT my two eldest caught covid last October and have both needed a couple of dentist appointments which means their attendance has dropped to 95-96%.
I spoke to the school about it and they told me attendance was taken from Sept so that's why it's dropped so low - presumably in Sept this year they will be back at 100%...?

Anyway. Given their Year groups, would you take them out for a week in October or November, or pay the extra for half term?

Even with a fine of £360, term time would be a massive amount cheaper but I'm a rule follower and the thought of taking them out of school illegally is playing havoc with my moral compass!

My Year 11 DS missed 3 weeks of school last November due to an injury and missed coursework, some mock exams and vital learning. Too important a year in my eyes, even a few weeks can be very important in Year 11.

Pay for half term.

Yes they do have mocks in November
And some retakes or wary exams

Best check before booking

Also why not end of august/start of September can be cheaper - January is miles cheaper as well.

Other than that I’d wait until exams are over and go June next year

2 kids starting KS4 (schools usually start teaching key texts in year 9 so they can revisit them in 10 and 11). I would normally say go in term time, but not with one in final GCSE year.

Would they even want to go in term time? Not a chance in hell would my GCSE sitting DD have given up a week of school to go and sit on a beach with her parents and siblings.