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Original poster

Not compulsory school age term time holiday

157 replies

Senners · 24/09/2023 07:57

My child will start school next September 2024 and will turn 5 at the end of September so a few weeks after she starts. Am I right in thinking she's not compulsory school age until 1st January 2025 so I could take her out of school between September and December without a fine? Thinking of a short break in Nov, but not if there's a risk of fine. Thanks

OP posts:
Mademetoxic · 24/09/2023 14:18

Senners · 24/09/2023 13:42

Different schools different countries have different terms/holidays so you can't expect to see no children at your hotel in term time 😂 also why are you on a thread about term time holidays while on holiday surely you've got something better to do while on actual holiday than come on here and moan 🤔 @SleeplessinSeattle53 @Mademetoxic

I meant England kids. Obviously who do you think I mean.

I don't like being on holiday in a hotel and seeing kids who should be in school....

Is that too much to ask.

Mademetoxic · 24/09/2023 14:20

Senners · 24/09/2023 13:42

Different schools different countries have different terms/holidays so you can't expect to see no children at your hotel in term time 😂 also why are you on a thread about term time holidays while on holiday surely you've got something better to do while on actual holiday than come on here and moan 🤔 @SleeplessinSeattle53 @Mademetoxic

I purposely go away out of school time for English schools. It really grinds my gears when I see kids around who should be in school in the middle of term time.

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:17

This reply has been deleted

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Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:18

Go an adults only then? Problem solved @Mademetoxic

Mademetoxic · 24/09/2023 15:21

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:18

Go an adults only then? Problem solved @Mademetoxic

Edited

That doesn't solve the plane being full of kids does it.

Is it too much to ask, going out of school time to not see many kids around.
They should be at school.

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:21

@SleeplessinSeattle53 you're on holiday and you’re posting on mumsnet? Think you need to take a look at your priorities rather than what other people in the world are doing

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:23

@Mademetoxic Pretty sure by your attitude nobody would want to be blessed by your presence tbh but it’s called life, move on.

Mademetoxic · 24/09/2023 15:24

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:23

@Mademetoxic Pretty sure by your attitude nobody would want to be blessed by your presence tbh but it’s called life, move on.

What, so saying that it isn't unreasonable to not see kids around on holiday last week when they should have been settling into school life?

greengreengrass25 · 24/09/2023 15:26

Mind you my dd never got to go to reception as she was a Summer birthday and had to go straight to Y1

She has a masters

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:26

@Mademetoxic if you were content with your own life you wouldn’t even care to have an opinion on this topic. Take a hobby up - reading, yoga, meditation? Take deep breaths :)

Mademetoxic · 24/09/2023 15:28

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:26

@Mademetoxic if you were content with your own life you wouldn’t even care to have an opinion on this topic. Take a hobby up - reading, yoga, meditation? Take deep breaths :)

What on earth are you going on about?

I choose to go on my holidays abroad out of school times. Why should I have to endure children who should be at school settling in.
School time is precious.

Original poster
Senners · 24/09/2023 15:33

You don't know other people's situations, that might've been the only time these people could afford a holiday with their kids, they might work hard full time all year round and still not be able to afford one holiday a year in school holidays. It might be the first and only time they do it. They might of been through the worst times of their lives and wanted to take their kids away and the only time they could do it was last week. Your need to have no kids on your plane and in your hotel in term time sounds very entitled. The people you've seen are just making memories with their kids while they can, let them live

OP posts:
Mademetoxic · 24/09/2023 15:38

Senners · 24/09/2023 15:33

You don't know other people's situations, that might've been the only time these people could afford a holiday with their kids, they might work hard full time all year round and still not be able to afford one holiday a year in school holidays. It might be the first and only time they do it. They might of been through the worst times of their lives and wanted to take their kids away and the only time they could do it was last week. Your need to have no kids on your plane and in your hotel in term time sounds very entitled. The people you've seen are just making memories with their kids while they can, let them live

You don't need to make memories abroad on a holiday.

I don't sound entitled. I get it if I said I don't want to be around kids during the school holidays. Avoid them like the plague.

But why should other people endure kids on their holidays/flights when they purposely book outside school time to avoid this?
Think about other holiday makers.

You're the entitled one. Who thinks school rules do not apply to you.

SleeplessinSeattle53 · 24/09/2023 15:41

Happyhippo23x · 24/09/2023 15:21

@SleeplessinSeattle53 you're on holiday and you’re posting on mumsnet? Think you need to take a look at your priorities rather than what other people in the world are doing

Why is that weird? Does no one else browse SM whilst on holiday? What an odd comment.

mummyh2016 · 24/09/2023 15:46

I wouldn't normally take my kids out of school however we almost had to this year when my son came down with what looked like HFM a week before our holiday this summer. It cleared up by the time we went thank god but if not DH wasn't able to book off any more school holiday time so I actually said fuck it, if we can't go this time I'm taking them out of school and we'll go in a few weeks instead.

@Mademetoxic out of interest where are you on holiday? If it's a main tourist beach holiday ie Majorca I don't really have a lot of sympathy. If it's somewhere that people don't tend to take children such as Malta, Madeira, Santorini etc then I sympathise.

SleeplessinSeattle53 · 24/09/2023 15:53

Erm what? So it's ok for parents to take kids out of school if they take them somewhere mainstream like Majorca? Ok then...

I've brought my own kids up. Did school holiday trips for years. Now I don't have to, I don't want to see other people's kids while I'm away.

mummyh2016 · 24/09/2023 17:06

SleeplessinSeattle53 · 24/09/2023 15:53

Erm what? So it's ok for parents to take kids out of school if they take them somewhere mainstream like Majorca? Ok then...

I've brought my own kids up. Did school holiday trips for years. Now I don't have to, I don't want to see other people's kids while I'm away.

Nowhere did I say that. What I implied was that it's naive to expect destinations that are popular with families to not have children there outside school holidays. I'm sorry if your intellect failed you on that one.

SleeplessinSeattle53 · 24/09/2023 17:10

@mummyh2016 I don't think you need to be quite so rude. Not unreasonable to expect parents to have their kids in school during term time. Or is school optional these days?

mummyh2016 · 24/09/2023 17:48

SleeplessinSeattle53 · 24/09/2023 17:10

@mummyh2016 I don't think you need to be quite so rude. Not unreasonable to expect parents to have their kids in school during term time. Or is school optional these days?

With all due respect you started it by twisting what I'd written. You knew full well what I meant.
No school isn't optional, and if you'd taken time to read the thread I actually stated earlier today I haven't taken my children out of school for a holiday and probably wouldn't unless there was a good reason. People do have their reasons to though and I think it's ridiculous that people insinuate that taking children out of school for 2 weeks at the age of 5 (when the child that this thread was started about doesn't legally need to be at school) is going to ruin their education. It's bollocks.

Original poster
Senners · 24/09/2023 18:05

Thank you. I would never do 2 weeks, I was thinking 3 or 4 days near Xmas for some xmas break in the UK like centre parcs, like a last family break before compulsory school age and years of expensive school holidays start. The other poster is more concerned about kids being around on her plane and term time holiday, she's not concerned about the child, just her holiday having kids around. There will always be kids around though, from all over the world and from different situations we know nothing about

OP posts:
SleeplessinSeattle53 · 24/09/2023 18:05

I didn't state it was going to ruin their education. I just said I don't want to see other people's school aged kids on my holidays when I've been there and done that with my own. I don't think I'm alone in that opinion.

Jobquestion · 24/09/2023 18:12

Just take them out. I'm not in UK but hearing about the ridiculous fines imposed, I find it incredulous that it is policed. I would understand if a child missed lots of school days, but for a week or two holiday, just go for it. As long as you don't expect the teacher or school to go out of their way with specialised work to catch up. No child will suffer from missing 5 or even 10 days of school once. Not long term anyway. And a holiday can be so much cheaper during term time. The memories and expereice will be worth it.
If your aware of any general topics which will be missed and can avoid repeating it within the same year I say go for it.
They are only little once.

Redlocks28 · 24/09/2023 18:28

I'm not in UK but hearing about the ridiculous fines imposed, I find it incredulous that it is policed.

I’m in the UK (and a teacher) and still think it’s a stupid policy! Interesting that private school parents can take their kids out whenever they want to on holiday; there’s no fines for them!

ConnieTucker · 24/09/2023 18:31

Redlocks28 · 24/09/2023 18:28

I'm not in UK but hearing about the ridiculous fines imposed, I find it incredulous that it is policed.

I’m in the UK (and a teacher) and still think it’s a stupid policy! Interesting that private school parents can take their kids out whenever they want to on holiday; there’s no fines for them!

We have a rising problem with school attendance and attitudes of parents to attendance in England. And attitudes of parents to schools in general.

WeightoftheWorld · 24/09/2023 18:33

NameChange30 · 24/09/2023 08:54

"Put it this way, no teachers EVER take their kids out of school during term time for a holiday."

Ridiculous thing to say. Of course teachers don't take term time holidays; they can't!

I don't actually agree with taking kids out of school for long chunks during term time unless for a very compelling reason, exceptional circumstances etc. I think the odd day or two here and there is ok.

Hahah, I know a few ex-teachers and they all take their kids out in term time now that they can!

Anyway to answer OPs question, they can't find you or anything like that all if they're not CSA. And you're right they are not CSA until the beginning of the 2nd term.

Enjoy your holiday!