MMD: Should you take the kids out of school for a holiday?

Sam08

As a child, I was very fortunate. We sometimes had 2 holidays a year, 2 weeks in the summer and sometimes a week in spring too.

We never went in the school holidays as my parents wouldn't have been able to afford it. They both worked hard (full time) for us kids and we loved our holidays as a family. I have great memories and I believe these family times are very important, even more so these days. I didn't miss out at school, I passed my exams and it would have made no difference to my life if I'd stayed in school and not gone on holiday! I studied hard at college and have a very good job now.

In my opinion, it's all about common sense. I wouldn't take my kids on holiday if it was exam time but I wouldn't have any hesitation in taking them out of school in term time. Some parents let their kids have time off too easily (faking sickness etc) and this is what has caused problems.

There is very little in life to enjoy these days and very little money around at the moment. Kids can still have a good education and go on holiday in term time - everything within reason.

eas_2

I would not hesitate to take my grandchildren out of school for a holiday and, in fact, already do so as a matter of course. As others have said for most parents money does not grow on trees: one needs to take advantage of special deals as and when. This year we returned home early from holiday in order not to miss the beginning of term only to find in the case of my grandson that the school had granted teachers a further day's holiday plus from 08.30 to 11.30 on day two of the new school term for 'planning'. My two granddaughters were due to return on Tuesday 2 September but found that their start was delayed until this morning - 4 September. So I DEFINITELY have no qualms.

Furthermore, as a trained teacher of children with special needs myself, I must pose the question - WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF EDUCATION? For me it is following the child's lead and what better place to do this than in beautiful surroundings abounding with fantastically interesting opportunities for learning.

kernowbird

Lilyfae wrote: »

As a teacher I find this highly hilarious.

At 8 and 10 a week away from school will have negative consequences as the primary curriculum particularly in maths and english are tightly packed and primary schools sadly operate a teaching culture of once the page in the book is done, its done. (regardless of whose precious children are in majorca or dubai or wherever)

As a secondary teacher, I see kids lolling in three weeks into september/january/may burnt to a crisp as parents have taken them on cheap vacations at the start of new terms, these kids usually can't catch up, often they don't want to catch up, and nine times out of ten don't want to pay attention because they want to show off their tan/braids/henna tattoo/cheap jewellery they shouldn't be wearing in the first place.

From what I have seen, these kids cannot concentrate and get back into the swing of things for a further week or so, usually due to the jet-lag/lazyitis.
This is serious detriment to a child's education which isn't about listing off the countries of Europe or their times table, its getting into patterns and learning the skills to interpret the world around them.

I'm not saying every parent that takes their child away in school time is incapable of teaching their children these skills and about the local culture, however I think that people are very naive and condescending towards what schools do for their children.

Oh and btw I would love to take holidays! I can't afford to go in the summer but I'm not allowed to take time out of school because a week away would damage your children's education.

Aren't you refering more to poor parenting skills than the sum of what can be gained by visiting other countries?
And apologies for the throwaway comment about missing a few hours of cramped classrooms- it was most certainly not a dig at teachers, but more about the system. My kids teachers are and have been brilliant, and I would challenge any non teaching staff to attempt even half the work or hours that teachers put in......
:beer:

blue_angel

rob467 wrote: »

What I would really like to see is the different LEAs altering the term start/end dates and shifting half terms around a bit more. Would it make a difference if half term was the first or last week of February?

YES! I live on a County boundary and when different LEAs have different holidays, it can make childcare a nightmare for parents, and make the "taking time off for holidays" situation even worse.

blue_angel

tonydee wrote: »

The thing that most irratates me about the subject is that the school expects us to take our holidays out of term yet the teachers take their inset days in term!
quote]

That's because we have to! The school must be open for 195 days, of which 5 must be INSET days.

tonydee

blue_angel wrote: »

tonydee wrote: »

The thing that most irratates me about the subject is that the school expects us to take our holidays out of term yet the teachers take their inset days in term!

That's because we have to! The school must be open for 195 days, of which 5 must be INSET days.

That rule needs to change then, promptly!

stusworld

as primary schools generally have an inflated opinion of their educational value. i would say quality time with family
would be of real lasting value. your children will remember the holiday but not the weeks in school.time is short

paulfoel

brucie24 wrote: »

Our local LEA now fines parents for taking children out of school without permission from the Head/Govenors. Both the Headteachers of my childrens schools (primary & secondary) have said explicitly that permission WILL NOT BE GIVEN for ANY holiday!

If we decide to take the children out without permission we face a fine of £ 50-00 per child per parent per week!

With 3 children (and as far as I know, a happy marriage;) ) that means a two week holiday would cost
us £600-00 !!!!!!!!!!!

Hence the answer to the dilema is NO I wouldn't.

Can they legally fine you then?

Cinders2001

moneysaver2008 wrote: »

I home educate my 6 year old son and one of numerous benefits to this way of life/way of educating is that we can go on holiday whenever we want without asking permission from anybody but ourselves. To assume that time away from school 'on holiday' is time spent away from 'learning' is ludicrous. Yes, children won't be following the prescribed 'curriculum' while they're away but they will be learning something. Education really shouldn't be seen as something administered to our children by 'experts' and 'only' within a school environment. All of life is educational in one way or another.

I pity the parents with children in schools where they will be fined if they take their children on holiday during term time. That said, I understand why schools may react like that. Education in school is 'mass education' and, as much as some of the better schools may 'try' to do their best for each individual child, ultimately school is about getting the 'herd' to move along at the same pace. Consequently, I see how it would be disruptive and inconvenient for schools if everyone took holidays whenever they wanted.

I consider myself lucky because I only have one child to educate and can,therefore, tailor his education to fit his individual needs. This means that breaks for holidays don't need to disrupt learning because a topic can be put down and picked up again on our return, or else we can find ways to incorporate learning opportunites into the holiday itself.

I realise that home education would not be practical or desirable for everyone and that many parents are happy with the education they get in schools but it's worth pointing out that children do NOT have to go to school to be educated. Some previous posters have seemed to imply that school attendance is compulsory when it is not. A full time education IS complusory but that does not HAVE to take place in school. You do have to make a choice though between home ed or school ed - you can't dip in and out unfortunately.

P.S. In anticpation of all those who would love to tear me down in flames for choosing to home educate....

No, I don't keep my son locked up in the house all day away from other children.

Yes, he DOES get plenty of opportunities to socialise with schooled and home educated children (has got more friends since leaving school than he had when he was in school)

Yes, I am a responsible parent who takes the education of my son very seriously.

No, my child is not an angel but he does NOT run wild and their are plenty of times when he has to do things he may not want to do - though I would add that the reasons for 'having to do something' are a lot easier explained than some of the reasons for having to do certain things in a school environment.

Finally, I hope all those who want their holidays find ways to take them and enjoy the well deserved break that all families need : )

I Home Educate my two girls too.
I do the same as you. If I want to take my girls away.....I do!

A child at home is not an unlearning child. The day does not have to be filled with pens and paper to make an education.!

diane70

take them out life is for living!!!