Taking children out of school for 3 weeks

[Goodtimesagain]

I am getting married the last weekend in August next year and would like to take our children on honeymoon with us late September for three weeks, has anybody taken their children out of school for this long before? I appreciate I will have to pay a fine, just wondering if the consequences could be worse? I just want to hear other people’s experiences of taking children out of school for this long...

The same way adults do when they miss 15 days of work maybe. I was more worried about my son who would be in year 6 with the sats that year if I am honest, although my daughter just did them and throughout the process the school made sure we were well informed that sats results mean nothing and the children would be retested at secondary school.

Yer I definitely couldn’t leave my children for three weeks. Or even two. But consider taking them for two or three just because it’s long haul.

Erm you clearly don’t understand the concept of lessons. Kids who miss school aren’t missing doing reports or reading emails they can catch up on when they return. They miss teaching that won’t be repeated.

I have occasionally taken both dc out of school for holidays, in fact DS is missing the last week this year but I think that 3 weeks in September is excessive and a really bad time to do it

I’m very blasé about taking kids out of school for holidays. But it’s a no from me too. Couldn’t you fit it around half term? Three weeks out at the beginning of Y8 is key ‘new concepts’ time. And in Y6 that will go down like a lead balloon with school.

I think nationwide there is a feeling that school attendance has to be top of the agenda.I see your reasoning ,but would be very surprised if this was allowed esp at the beginning of term .Maybe have a break around half term instead?.Usually around mid October .Could get some nice Sunshine breaks around then ,and would take the worry out of it for you?

No you clearly miss the concept of lessons. Learning can happen at any time or place. The more far fetched the better. Teach children about different things, different places, different cultures. A lesson doesn’t have to take place in a classroom. I was always taught the best education you can give a child is to show them the world, teach them about other places, teach them to be gracious, friendly and polite.

No don't do it. I took my two out for a week at beginning of school term in year 6and 8. Was a great holiday but hard for them to catch up. This coming from a mum that always took them out of school but better do that in in summer term. Why do you need your kids on honeymoon anyway

My partner can’t go away in October or December otherwise it would be a no brainier. Unfortunately his time table doesn’t match the schools.

FFS @NotSoThinLizzy, OP wants to take her children out for three weeks and you’re suggesting she asks the teachers to put together work to take with them? How about the teachers use their time teaching the kids whose parents value what they’re doing in the classroom?

OP, it’s too long and I think you have quite a limited view of what actually happens in school - it’s not all about catching up academically.

I know the school can’t approve it, and it’s up to the council in regards to fines, so there is really nothing the school could do, but I don't want to get in a silly amount of trouble!

They will barely be back before half term. I think this could cause big issues, especially because it is the start of the year. Their attendance will drop to 50% by the end of your holiday which may well trigger involvement from the education welfare officer (that might be an outdated job name). Generally below 90% is considered low.

"I don’t worry about them catching up"

Perhaps you might want to have a word with their teachers who are going to have to do the work to make that happen?

I think it's very inconsiderate

I wouldn’t expect them to come up with work, there is plenty of creative writing they could do outside 4 brick walls, with no distractions from 29 other children.

Bendingspoons that’s exactly what I was worried about!!

Of course children can learn a lot about being away (I'm sure that's the reasoning behind the honeymoon, the educational value) but how does that help when your children arrive back at school after missing 3 weeks and don't know what's going on because of the learning they have missed.

There’s plenty of pros and cons either way. Being in a classroom or not. I just wondered anyone else’s experiences who had done it, so I could make an informed decision.

Of course the honeymoon isn’t being taken on the basis that it’s educational (obviously, goes without saying) but we would ensure that it involved education due to the timing we can go.

I have no problem about taking kids out of school and I certainly would in the summer term but they would miss so much in the start of term, I don't know about school changes but will any of yours be starting a new school (my area starts new at year 3 and year 8) can you not delay it and have it after the year 6 sats?

Ours change schools after year 6 so not as bad. We would like to try for a baby ASAP due to age so would be pushing our luck to wait another nearly year really.

DC1 went through a period of migraines at the beginning of year 8 and really struggled missing odd day here or there. We got a letter and threat of EWO as attendance was low. Sets change for year 8 and it was a really bad tone for him to be off tbh.

I think taking a year 8 away so soon for three weeks would be cruel tbh, definitely something they struggle with. So they choose options in year 8 at that school? Most schools here so and so exams in Feb of yay 8 are really important as they dictate what options they can take, if that's the same where you are then even two weeks would be irresponsible.

Sorry it's not what you want to hear but basically term time absences at secondary are just not ok.

PS how does your eldest feel about possibly missing 3 weeks?

3 weeks is very long, and it simply isn't a honeymoon if your kids are there, it's a family holiday. I'd either do something with just your partner, do something shorter or just have a family holiday at a more appropriate time of year. I say that as someone who has taken kids out before.

No we don’t have all that here. Not in year 8 anyway. Coming away from the honeymoon for a second as England isn’t the only country on the planet and people and families are so spread out these days, with school holidays rarely being the same in any two countries, term time absences will always happen, to ensure children and families can at least see each other every few years. Whether it’s my children who have to miss a few days off school or another relatives unless the world is going to connect as a whole unit absences will have to happen.

I think two weeks should be enough. Seems no one has taken their children out for three weeks before, so I have no insight! My children would be so excited, they love their friends at school, but they LOVE to experience new things and places.