Going on holiday during school term

[Doremi1689]

my son is 3 years old and starts school next September when he’s 4. If I was to take my 4 year old out of school for around 5 days for the Xmas holidays will we get in trouble? I know you have to ask the headteacher first and I read they won’t authorise if it’s just a holiday. (Although my friend works at a special needs school and she said the head teacher there always lets parents take their kids on holiday!). I’m aware we can get fined £60 but that’s no issue compared to the extortionate prices on hotels and flights during school holidays! We don’t spend anything on materials but Holidays are really important part of our lives and I can’t believe hotels and flights are double the usual price!!

No, compulsory school age is the term after they turn 5 so you can't be fined before then. They will tell you they can't authorise it though.

This - you can’t get a fine. Sounds like if your ever going to do it now is the time!

Go on holiday and have fun - but the hotels & flights are not double the usual price in school holidays.
It’s peak demand during school holidays and therefore peak prices.

We had a term time holiday during reception year. They ask parents to complete an absence form in advance but I saw it more as a courtesy informing them my child would be off.
We only missed 4 days school and still only aged 4 so I don't think fines apply anyway but our headteacher is very sensible and said she will not issue fines unless a family has multiple term time holidays in one year.

Sorry yes I exaggerated when I said double the price 😂 when I look at flights to Thailand it’s at least £1-2k more!!
a few friends that I asked said now is definitely the time before kids turn 5. I just thought If they are 4 an in school then they are not allowed. Happy to have read your replies! 😊

Once again, it is not your human right to go on a cheaper holiday. It is your child’s human right to have an education.

@BanjoVio you are so right! i would definitely be depriving my 4 year old from his intense education involving colouring, story time, singing, role play, napping. How ever will he cope without those 5 days!

For goodness sakes, it’s a week or two. Not denying a child an education. Get a grip.

Holidays are an amazing learning opportunity, especially aged 4 and to somewhere as culturally different as Thailand.

Do it now. When they get to Secondary it's just not an option.

He's only 4, I would do it.
You do sound a bit dismissive of what he'll do in reception though, I'd be surprised if napping was part of it!

He's very unlikely to remember any of it. My dc have either no memory of places we went at that age, or very simple snapshots - France was "where we saw the bee" kind of thing.

Definitely do it before he's compulsory school age, at hat age it's mostly just learning through play anyway. I cant afford school holiday prices but thankfully in Wales they are much more relaxed than England, they let you take kids out of school even after compulsory school age.

@Just4today back in my day (gosh I’m only 32 and I’m already saying this phrase 😂) we were to take a nap … that was 28ish years ago though 😂

The only think I wokld say is in reception the last week before Christmas is normally great fun with activities and parties

Oh lord yes you/he wouldn't want to miss the first nativity

I'd be supportive if it was to visit a relative abroad, or for a cultural event that only takes place on limited dates. Not just because it is cheaper, and quite frankly do you want to be visiting Thailand, the destination of choice for dirty old men to find younger wives.

Thanks for the post and replies. My reading is that it is down to the headteacher and circumstances. Our reason for going back to China is probably “more” legitimate - the kids and us have not seen the grandparents for 4 years due to the Covid restrictions. We desperately need to go back to China. My elder one is 11 and young one is 8. The next school holiday is May / June half term. I am thinking of asking to take 7 weekdays before the holiday and 7 weekdays after, so that we can spend 4 weeks in China. I presume that the fine is minimum if any. I do not think that the kids will lose much in education. Cheers! F