Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Mumsnet poll needed. If you had a year 7 child...

57 replies

seeker · 15/03/2013 18:10

would you take him out of school for a week in June to go to a Tall Ships Festival in Rouen with his dad? Staying on a tall ship that's part of the festival- helping to manage the ship, show visitors round- and seeing Madness live......you would, wouldn't you? Even if you are massively against holidays in school time?

OP posts:
pansyflimflam · 15/03/2013 18:11

Yes without a backward glance.

Notquite · 15/03/2013 18:11

God yes. Highly educational.

BooksandaCuppa · 15/03/2013 18:11

Yes.

BooksandaCuppa · 15/03/2013 18:13

And I would already have my request for absence formulated: ask for it to be put down as 'educated offsite'.

BooksandaCuppa · 15/03/2013 18:13

(except the Madness bit).

YellowAndGreenAndRedAndBlue · 15/03/2013 18:14

Yes, not a thing a child would experience in a week at school would compare to an amazing learning experience like that.

BeerTricksPotter · 15/03/2013 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BooksandaCuppa · 15/03/2013 18:14

This, I feel certain, would be approved at my school.

fieldfare · 15/03/2013 18:15

Absolutely!

Niceweather · 15/03/2013 18:24

Yes, say that it's a "once in a lifetime opportunity". This is a circumstance that they should approve.

sandyballs · 15/03/2013 18:26

Definitely as long as he isn't struggling at school or behind.

BrianButterfield · 15/03/2013 18:30

I'm a teacher and I'd be OK with that - much better than the crap most kids get taken out for. As long as you train him not to say "but I was awaaaaay for that" for the next three weeks as it's very annoying.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 15/03/2013 18:38

No Wink
But I might take him out to spend a week
Practicing his foreign language skills
Learning about social, economic and maritime history
Studying the Hundred Years War and the story of Joan of Arc
Polishing his public speaking and presentation skills

lljkk · 15/03/2013 18:48

YES.

Original poster
seeker · 15/03/2013 18:53

Ooh- I'm getting excited for him now- he's going to have such a fab time......!!!!!

OP posts:
ThreeBeeOneGee · 15/03/2013 18:55

Sounds very cool.

Thisisaeuphemism · 15/03/2013 18:55

Can he invite another yr 7 who he doesn't know and that year 7s mother? Sounds brilliant.

Erebus · 15/03/2013 19:00

Yes, but you'd need to make public apology to everyone you'd vilified as feckless, irresponsible parents when they took DC out of school on holiday. And recognising that your OP was written in a biased, how could anyone deny their child this wonderful, educational experience? way.

And do try to reign in the hypocrisy in future! Many of us, yes, me included, should ponder that!

Sorry, being a bit 'heavy' on a Friday night but it is something to bear in mind. Hope DS has a wonderful and educational experience Grin

insancerre · 15/03/2013 19:02

yes
of course

poppydoppy · 15/03/2013 19:05

I sure would. These are memories that will last a lifetime. I hope he has a great time.

Talkinpeace · 15/03/2013 19:23

Get him to take pictures, write a diary and get everybody in the class a small pressie and
LIKE A SHOT

I took mine to Germany for a week when they were in Primary (DH working there)
We brought back our pictures of Hamelin and the teacher had a ready made topic for the week!!

I also took mine out of school for a family funeral overseas and again they took back enough info to make a topic of it so school cared not a jot.

Disney on the other hand Biscuit

DameFanny · 15/03/2013 19:27

Hell yes. Room for a year 4 and his mother?

JourneyThroughLife · 15/03/2013 19:33

Yes, I'd take him out without question, if the school weren't keen I wouldn't be asking, I'd be telling them he was going.....

FlatsInDagenham · 15/03/2013 19:35

Yes - he'll learn far more than he would in that same week at school.

timidviper · 15/03/2013 19:41

Yes. Some friends of ours took DS to Egypt with them and their DS and, as the boys were at different schools with different half terms we had to ask for time off. We just told the school the plans of where they would visit and that they would also have some sports coaching while there (just making clear it was not a beach holiday). Got a nice letter from the head saying he was very envious!