Would you take your child out of school for a holiday?

[Nomorellama]

If they were in reception in the term they turn 5?

so for instance my child turns 5 in November and compulsory education would be from jan 25, would you take them out of school for a cheap holiday in the winter term?

im leaning towards yes but then I’m a bit worried about overall attendance if we need one or two days sickness or one of two days for a holiday either side of the half terms when they are in compulsory education

yes - but not for the start of term!

Once establised and settled - yes!

@nomorellama

I agree

My daughter is in p5 (Scotland) - we’re currently abroad for both our ‘0’ birthdays. I told the school, they were fine with it (we don’t get fined in Scotland). My theory is that I won’t be able to take her out in high school so easily and she isn’t transitioning to high school this year so making the most of it.

which Is what I thought too, but they informed us when we brought DC back in after holiday, that they absence was unauthorised

i didn’t realise at nursery level there was actually an approval process. I was merely letting them know, hence my surprise when they let me know her absence was unauthorised on her return

Yes absolutely. It's very common.

DS always used to skip the last few days at the end of the school year, so that we could go on holiday early. We also used to occasionally bunk off to go to the beach (if the weather was good) and to theme parks (to avoid queues during the busy periods). But by the end of the year, I always knew how many days we could take off before it being flagged up as being problematic. Mid-year is more tricky.

I'd take my kid out any time except during GCSEs or A Levels. Let's face it, all these draconian measures, fines, threats of court etc, they've hardly improved parent - school relationships or attendance figures have they?