School declined holidays and branded the kids truants

mogadon

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

I suspect that you and I are never going to agree on this subject, as we appear to be a looooooooonnnnnnngggg way apart. But I can live with that, as civilised, respectful disagreement is OK in my book.

Well we agree on something then



For the record, it does make a very pleasant change to hear from a parent who obviously absolutely loves spending time with their child. I don't mean that to be in anyway sarcastic or patronising. I suppose it's the nature of the beast that people are generally quicker to air complaints than compliments. But it is good to hear the other side as well. :A

malkie76

Saving moneycan NEVER be a reason to risk your childs education. I genuinely cannot see a counter arguement to that.

Secondly, I pointed out that prices do not go up in summer holidays - you just get a discount for a term time holiday to suck you in.

thommy

BargainGalore wrote: »

So you dont mind your kids falling behind or then other kids suffer so your kids can catch up

They changed the rules because some parents were taking the Mick, quite frankly if you cant afford to go in term time then perhaps you shouldn't go

You have a choice pay extra, dont pay extra and break the law and let you kids suffer to. Education is more important than a family holiday abroad

just chipping in in a friendly fashion!

what if easy's child is actually AHEAD of the other children and doesn't suffer but gains by doing something away from school. whilst at the same time there is no disruption to other kids. they, in fact, have more time dedicated to them, pro rata and, perhaps, are able to get closer to eays's child's achievements?

Antispam

DirectGov states this

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_4016103

Holidays during term time

You should not normally take your child on holiday in term time as it can be disruptive both to your child's education and to the school.
Holidays in term time can only be agreed by the headteacher or someone with appropriate authority. Schools can use their discretion to grant up to 10 days’ authorised absence in a school year if both:

• the parent the child normally lives with applies to the school in advance of the holiday
• there are special reasons for the holiday

Schools can only agree to more than 10 school days’ absence in any school year in exceptional circumstances.
Schools must judge each holiday request on a case by case basis. They can take into consideration:

• the time of year for the proposed trip
• if it's near any exam dates
• your child's overall attendance pattern
• any holidays already taken in the school year
• the age and stage of education of your child
• your wishes
• the ability of your child to catch up the work that they have missed
• the reason why you are taking the time off during term time

Schools should not take into consideration:

• availability of cheap holidays
• availability of desired accommodation
• poor weather experienced in school holiday periods
• overlap with the beginning or end of term

balletshoes

BargainGalore wrote: »

So you dont mind your kids falling behind or then other kids suffer so your kids can catch up

We are all different, and our school policies on term time absences appear to be different too. If my daughters school policy was zero tolerance, I wouldn't take her out of school in term time. That is not her schools policy however, and so, because she does not have an attendance record problem with sick absence, and she is not at all struggling to keep up or be caught up, I do take her out of school for a maximum of one school week in a school year. I do not, and will not, feel guilty doing so. Whether the current school rules regarding absence during term time is right or wrong in anyone's opinion, is beside the point as far as I'm concerned. The guidance is being applied at my daughter's school as they see fit, and I'm abiding by that guidance.

thommy

malkie76 wrote: »

Secondly, I pointed out that prices do not go up in summer holidays - you just get a discount for a term time holiday to suck you in.

that's an interesting way of looking at it, but, with respect, semantics.

photome

malkie76 wrote: »

Saving moneycan NEVER be a reason to risk your childs education. I genuinely cannot see a counter arguement to that.

Secondly, I pointed out that prices do not go up in summer holidays - you just get a discount for a term time holiday to suck you in.[/QUOTE]
Of course that is tongue in cheek, I hope.

Do you have to pay more in the summer? Yes.

So the price goes up!

poet123

malkie76 wrote: »

Saving moneycan NEVER be a reason to risk your childs education. I genuinely cannot see a counter arguement to that.

Secondly, I pointed out that prices do not go up in summer holidays - you just get a discount for a term time holiday to suck you in.

I would agree with your first point, but even those in education (as I am) would probably not agree that you were risking your child's education by taking a holiday in term time, provided you were selective with the timing, and took account of their overall attendance and academic standing.

Nor does it impact the learning of others as most classes consist of children working at differing speeds/attainment levels on the same area of the curriculum.

malkie76

but you conceed a risk exists, hence you agree parents should not take the children out of school purely to save money!

photome wrote: »

Do you have to pay more in the summer? Yes.

So the price goes up!

No. The price goes down during non term time. You can't argue that one point of view is 'true' if the opposite point of view is entirely valid.

poet123

malkie76 wrote: »

but you conceed a risk exists, hence you agree parents should not take the children out of school purely to save money!





No. The price goes down during non term time. You can't argue that one point of view is 'true' if the opposite point of view is entirely valid.

I would think that few people take their kids out of school without considering the % of risk. That is to say, if a child was behind in class, had a bad attendance record (including sickness) I doubt many parents would feel comfortable about taking term time holidays. For the majority of pupils that is not the case.