Could somebody talk me through it again why I should be the muppet who pays for full price holidays when everybody else at my dc's school...

[emkana]

... takes their children out for holidays regularly.

I used to feel strongly that this is WRONG, but now I'm thinking why don't I do it as well?

If we hadn't paid and their father were not a teacher would it have affected things? No because I believe in setting an example to children that the school is always right (even when you think it's wrong) to ensure the authority of it is respected by the child and because people don't need holidays. We sometimes haven't had them. I never went away once until I was 10 years old and that didn't harm me. And you can always camp for very little if you really have to get away.

Also never mind the duty to the school, my children would have suffered if they'd been off school academically but they were in selective schools always where it wqas hard to get into and the pace of work was high. The average state primary where from this thread they don't even do much work in the last week of term may be very different but I wouldn't want that type of school anyway.

Xenia's right and children should not be taken out of school at the drop of a hat for holidays.

However, I do know children whose parents have organised very long and enriching trips around the world with clear educational intent and value who have been taken out of school for long periods (a whole term, a whole year) with the benediction of the school, and I would clearly make an exception to the "no taking out of school rule" for such trips. More particularly when I see just how beneficial they have been to the children in question.

Yes Anna, those trips can be valid but the child's school place should not be kept open for them.

Why not? Surely that is the school's decision - in particular when the children who are taken out of school actively do something to share their experiences with their classmates.

I feel if a child is taken out of school for a year, however fabulous that trip is, there is usually a waiting list of children who are desperate to get into that school (in my area at least), nad their place should be forfeitted.

Well, if that is the case, perhaps.

But the children I know who have done this haven't been in that position vis-à-vis the school.

FWIW, in my DD's school (with a long waiting list), which caters very specifically to children who are either from another country or will have accompanied their parents abroad, it is perfectly possible to reserve a place for a child's return x years hence, so as to ensure that their schooling is not interrupted.

Message withdrawn

Ds school just says that if you are going to be away for an extended period you keep a diary of your experiences. Then again - as long as the fees are being paid - maybe they are happy.

One child in ds's class has been away for a whole term. The class all wrote to him as part of their writing practise.

I am mostly self employed (as a teacher) so even though ds gets longer holidays, the price of our holiday would have to be significantly cheaper to justify me not working the last week of term.

We have just stuck to renting cottages privately or staying in motels. Neither of these seems to get more expensive in the holidays. It probably is because you could negotiate harder for a long stay discount during term time, but I stick to looking at the internet prices per night and feel better.

RThat's a valid point. We could have skied much cheaply last week (as my boys broke up on 11th December) but the revenue I would have lost by not working last week compared with not working over Christmas for a week when we are going to be away, would be higher than the extra cost of going over Christmas plus not being available in a week when most people are working involves some loss of goodwill too although not a figure you can put down on paper. I still think Heathrow is going to be a bit of a nightmare on 24th.

This is why schools are so tough on the odd person doing it. As soon as people start to think, oh those six people do it so I'm going to as well', then you have the situation where a significant number of the class are absent in one week. That week is then a write-off for the whole class. It becomes almost pointless for the teachers to actually teach.

there is a fine line in this situation...some people say it depends on the age of the child, meaning the younger they are, the less it matters, some say, who cares, they are my child and I will do that I want, and others say, no way will I take my child out of school for a family holiday, we will go when they are off school.
I have to say, I agree with the last option. I am a teacher, and yes, I chose to go into the profession, but that also means that I have to go on holiday if I want to during the most expensive times as well, I do not have the option to take mysefl out of school to go away, my holidays are dictated by the school calendar. I agree with the fact that what does it teach your child if they are taken out?
I must say too, especially for children in year groups, it is really annoying when a child has been away on holiday and returns when we are halfway through a topic or an assignment and I have to spend time reteaching it to the individual child to catch them up, all for a voluntary absence reason. If they have been away due to illness or something legitimate like a bereavement etc.. then I have no issue with doing this, but to take them out of school to make it easier...and cheaper for you, then I take issue with this.
When I was growing up, we never went away on holiday, we made our own fun during the school breaks as kids, I am sure if you put your thinking caps on, you can find cheap holidays during school breaks instead of taking your child out of school

Message withdrawn

I was just replying to the op, hadn't read other replies, bloss. Sounds like you're fed up with your dc's school and I do hope things improve one way or another.

we have until recently always been given authorised absences from school for holidays at our primary. However the day before the children broke up for the holidays we were in receipt of a letter stating that the LEA had set tight targets to meet in terms of absence and therefore holidays would no longer be authorised. It smacked of the school trying to meet targets rather than being concerned of the potential impact on children having time off. Unfortunately what it means is that the absence figures will now look worse as i doubt people will cancel this years holidays and therefore they will be unauthorised absences from school rather than authorised ones.

Anna I don't agree that in some cases ie world trips it should be deemed ok, this would then mean that for those able to afford educationally beneficial holidays (ie the affluent), their need would appear greater than those who want a week at bognor. If their is a rule it should apply to everyone

I took my dc out this year and it was authorised but we have since had a letter telling us that we are no longer allowed to take any holidays at all in term time.

Personally i think it is crap and that everyone should be allowed 1 week.

It is unlikely that we will go on holiday again now at all as I just can't afford out of term prices.

I think people should start a campaign to holiday companies, instead of knocking schools. It's the holiday companies who a re screwin gyou.

It is clear that schools aren't going to condone it. All you get is a warning letter and your dc is marked as unauthorised absence. Just do it if you feel it's necessary/preferable.

I'm a bit horrified at the idea that school is always right. Heaven forbid a child realise that schooling is optional and they can think for themselves.
Like I said, mine don't have to go if they don't want too.

I know everyone has their own opinion on this and I repsect that. However, I don't feel I am setting a bad example to my DCs ny taking them out of school for the odd week once every couple of years.

We did it the year before last as we had the offer of an appartment in France at a really good price (friend of a friend) but it couldn't be during school hols. We went and the kids had a great time, school authorised but asked them to keep a diary.

We didn't go away last year as we didn't want to take them out again but we will probably do it this year.

Everyone has a boundary which is acceptable to them. DDs friend missed the first 5 weeks of this school year as they were house hunting in France but hve now decided not to go. I think this would have been too long for DD as she would have found it hard to settle again.

I agree about the prices going up being a pain. Our flights to france cost us £160 (for 4) out of season, the same flights in the summer were at least 4 times as much.

what do you mean, coffee? It's not optional for children.

school is not compulsory. I'm amazed how many parents shush you if you ever mention within hearing of their kids. Education is but not school.
Mine didn't go for 8 or so years. Chose to go at 13 and lo, were not behind in any way. In fact, mostly were ahead.
So if that can happen after 8 years of no school, a week or two isn't going to fail you your GCSE's!

I see. Yes, school is not compulsory. But the choice doesn;t lie with the child which is what I thought you were implying. It rests with the parent

And so? The week at Bognor has less educational value than a week spent at school; the world trip has more educational value than the week spent at school. Surely that is the only worthwhile criterion? Or are we going to deny children whose parents are able and willing to offer them educational opportunities above and beyond the NC the time to enjoy them, on the pretext that not all families can afford (or have the imagination) to give them to their children?

depends what you do on the world trip, anna . It could just be a cruise where you go for sun, entertainment and an ethnically themed buffet every evening

see, I think it should lie with the child. If they aren't making decisions in their education then it will wash over them without sticking. Thats why so many kids are turned off school. Its like a boring day prison.

I suppose som e parents might want to leave th decision with the child but only if one parent is willing and able to teach, no? Otherwise why give them that choice?