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

[seeker]

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?

YES!

Tall ships, how exciting.

Erebus- I would be happy to. If I had ever "vilified as feckless" anyone in even remotely similar circumstances.

That's not a holiday, it is an educational experience. Through managing the ship he will learn about how the ship operates, and will also develop team work skills. Showing visitors around will help develop communication skills (presumably some may not speak English so he will have 'barriers of communication' to take into consideration). This will also enable him to develop leadership skills. Does he do French at school? He will also get the opportunity to practice his French skills, and learn a lot of history and maybe geography.

:)

I would be surprised if the school wouldn't ok it. DD is in Sea Cadets, several of the older cadets (in yr 7 / 8) went for a week on a training ship in term time, & it was definitely fine with the schools, I remember talking to a couple of the parents about it.

Yep!

Without any hesitation at all, and our school would probably approve it too.

Like a shot, can we come too please. Far more educational than school
Go for it!

Yes

Well no, but then I have no interest in tall ships! If it was a passion of hers and a once in a lifetime thing.... I still don't know tbh!

I guess if I were massively against holidays in term time I might wonder why I thought my kids were more entitled to one than others

But personally I don't really give a shit about such things - my y7 has just had 6 days off sick and he seems to be doing ok - so I'd go for it :)

No i wouldnt.

Oh god...............

Yes. And I'm a teacher.

Personally, I don't have much beef with a year 7 having a week off (mine won't because I'm a teacher), but this is essentially a really fab holiday in term time, and setting it in contrast with other less worthy holidays is not great.

If it were my DS, I'd absolutely send him. And perhaps limit my objections to exam years.

I suppose there is the fact that the festival is happening then, not in the school holidays, so it's go in school time or not go at all. Oh, I don't know........!

I'm surprised you are doubting yourself, it sounds like a no-brainer to me.

I was just about to type what BOF said. Why do you need to ask? You know it's the right thing to do.

Why not ask, and if the school say yes your conscience is clear. If they say no, then would you send him unauthorised?

He may have exams in June though?

I'm doubting myself because people are saying that it's just the same as any other term time holiday. I genuinely thought it wasn't.......

Of course it's not. It's a fab opportunity for your very fortunate son. But... a holiday away with family is pretty fab for quite a lot if the considerably less fortunate children I teach. As rare an occurrence. Wonderful for them.

He should go. It is indeed a no brainer. I just think you could perhaps allow some shades of grey into your position on the back of it.

I am a teacher and believe holidays shouldn't be taken in term time except in truly unusual circumstances.
But... This sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. I'd do it! I doubt Y7 exams couldn't be sat just before you went or on return. (They are not set by an external board.) Tell teachers what he'll do when away (research food, try new language skills, learn about local geography/history or they could set a piece of work if they REALLY felt the need!

I'd have the courage of your convictions- it's not a week in Majorca etc, is it?