Holidays and school age children

melie3

hi,
ive a 9 yr old daughter, a 3yr old and a 1 yr old. we've had a fairly bad yr(hub not been well) and havent had much money last few months. we was wanting to go away for 4 days, either sun holidays haven or from my brit points, for a cheap break. the councils in the area are bringing into force this £100 per parent per child fine if we take our child out of school. so weve been looking to go a few days in august, perhaps camping. well haven campsite is about £400 for a week:eek: . so ive a dilemma, do i risk taking daughter out of school (which she actually doesnt want as wants 100% attendance this year) i cant afford to pay a fine either, so guess we no longer can afford to go away any more . i do understand teachers not being able to go in term time, etc... just feel its another added cost to this already costly life.......

Hell_Dans_Un_Handcart

It is hard, and I find it very wrong that they hike up the prices during the holidays. But especially if your daughter doesn't want to go, I don't think I'd be taking them out of school.

I would look around for a cheap deal for October half term (I've found self catering cottages to be cheapest for us, as we aren't really campers) and it gives you a bit more time to save up).

Alternatively, how about a Friday-Sun weekend away? I know it's not a big hol, but something at least

MichH

I dont have kids, but as a child growing up our family had very little money. Every year we went away in a tent, as a child it was a real adventure and I loved it!

I know tents are expensive, but I recently saw one being offered on Freecycle that was almost brand new (only used twice I think). Maybe this is an option you could consider. That way it would only cost for the campsite.

tiff

Plan ahead for next year. The sun hols will start again after Christmas. We managed to get a Mon-Fri in April school hols for around £60 all in. We can only go in school hols too and have accepted that. I have just got a job in the after school club, so I am restricted the same as the children. It can be done though but you have to plan ahead if you can.

aimee21j

This thread was started recently on this- http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=999315 . I really feel for people that simply can not afford to go away in the school holidays. I am a teacher and it is becoming like that for me too if it is any consolation. :mad:

Oldernotwiser

Have you looked at the possibility of doing a house swap? You may be a bit late to set it up for this year but it could be a useful idea for another year.

Rachie_B

we too can only go in school holidays

this yr we will have had 2 fri - mon sun holidays (may & aug bank hols)

and 2 butlins hols may & oct half terms,in a private rented static caravan ( much cheaper than butlins accom)

aswell as our week in france in aug! (Paid for by tesco clubcard deals)

there are ways and means of getting cheaper hols

def try the sun holidays next time they are out

x

jorichste

have you tried talking to the school, explaining the situation and asking for permission to take few days away during term time? they may say no but its worth a shot.

Lunar_Eclipse

melie3 wrote: »

hi,
ive a 9 yr old daughter, a 3yr old and a 1 yr old.

The fine you mentioned is only for an unauthorised absence from school. So if you request the absence and it is authorised by the school, you will not incur a fine.

Whilst authorisation of term time leave is completely discretionary, it is unusual for a school to deny leave that does not exceed 10 days in an academic year. Particularly for children of primary school age. (I have heard it is harder at High School.)

You said your eldest is 9 years old, so I'm guessing going into Year 5. This isn't a key SATS year, so you would be very unlucky to get your requested leave denied in my experience. Quality family time in a relaxed environment is very important for children. If they are coping well at school this could also play a factor too. You need to show that you take education seriously, but that doesn't necessarily exclude a few days holiday during term time.

I suggest requesting a 'leave of absence form' from the school office, submitting it with a supporting letter putting forward your 'case' and hoping for the best.

Rachel85

Why not post on the Travel and Holidays board? If you say what you'd like to do and how much you have to spend someone may be able to help you out finding a few days away during the summer holidays... Worth a shot anyway.

shellsuit

You don't have to 'risk' taking her out of school, just ask the head for a holiday form and see if they will authorise the absenses.

We are going away in October, my son will be going into year 8 in September and his headmaster had no problem authorising the days off.

You've just reminded me though that I have forgotten to fill in a form for my daughter who will be going into Year 6 in September!! :eek:

Oh boy am I gonna have to grovel! :rotfl:

We took them out of school in 2004 for a fortnight, at the end of September, both kids were in junior school and the headmaster was fine letting the children have the time away.

I find it helps if you add a note to the form saying that you will ensure that any work that the child misses and you will do your upmost to make sure they catch up, that the head is usually fine