taking kids out of school

Kimberley82

When do you think its ok to take children out of school?

Does age matter?

What about for a family emergency?

GobbledyGook

I think it depends entirely on the situation, the children and the school. I don't think there's a black and white "it's ok for A, B and C, but not for D and E" personally.

Jewel_2

Hi Kimberley

I don't agree with taking kids out of school at all unless an emergency/bereavement. In those situations I wouldn't give a monkeys as needs must, but I wouldn't take them out for holidays.

My issue with it is that 'what if every child did it'? It would disrupt the class and the learning, afaic.

bylromarha

Yes age matters IMO.

Each situation is different.

What is allowable when they are 5 in some situations is not so easy to justify when they are 15.

Jinx

For an emergency I would absolutely take my child out of school..... I have also taken my child out of school for holidays depending on what stage her education was at. I think it depends entirely on your circumstances and the childs age if its relevant.

HalfPint

Kimberley82 wrote: »

When do you think its ok to take children out of school?

Does age matter?

What about for a family emergency?

I don't think it's ever ok to take children out of school but as others have said, certain situations cannot be avoided and all you can do then is minimise the amount of time as best you can.

I, personally, have only had to take my kids out of school on 2 occasions, the first was when thier dad, my ex, demanded to see them at a weekend and I had to take them to him (we are 400 miles apart) this was 7 years ago. he has no contact now but thats another story. The second was when a close relative was very ill and my mum wasn't coping and needed my support, I drove an 800 mile round trip over a weeked and my kids missed the friday and monday of school. This was early this year.

Yes, age matters, it is far easier for a 5,6,7 year old to miss a few days than say a 13, 14, 15 yr old (or older).

HPx

LillythePink

I would say it depends

I have taken my dd out once - it was for my OH's brothers wedding - he was BM and my daughter was a bridesmaid - we are in the CI and them up in Newcastle - if it wasn't for the fact that they were part of the wedding party, we wouldn't have been there a week - so she was out of school for a week - but she did a project while she was there with pics of the class "Take out Ted" which used to go all over the world with children on holiday....she was about 7 at the time

I am taking her out of school early when they break up for summer - I normally wouldn't do this, but she will be changing schools after her 11+ so it won't disrupt anything apart from her not being in a few activities at the end of term.

I don't agree with people taking them out for the "holiday to Spain" etc, but it's not fair that operators load prices during the holidays.

HariboJunkie

I have never had cause to take my children out of school for emergencies but of course I wouldn't hesitate to do so. I have, on two occasions taken them out 2 days before the end of the Summer term to fit in with travel plans. On both occasions I wrote an honest letter the Head explaining the situation and was reassured that they would be missing no schoolwork whatsoever.
I think each case should be assessed on it's own merit but a 2 week holiday in term time is never going to see a prosecution for truancy and tee may be many benefits to taking a child away, both educationally and emotionally. I also beliee it is then up to the parent t ensure all work is caught up on to the satisfaction of the child's teacher.

eezer

I have no problem in taking my kids out of school for a holiday. With two working parents and difficulty planning/taking leave in school holidays, the family time we spend together is very important. They'll be grown up and gone all too soon. Their education hasn't suffered and they meet all their targets. We have quite an understanding head, although ultimately, I'd go anyway.

lisaloo1977

I also have no objections taking my son out of school. He is currently in reception and doing great at his schooling, his reading is coming along great and maths is his best subject. He excels in swimming and his best friend is from Denmark, whom i might add spoke not one word of english at the start of the year. I actually believe my son bonded with this boy because of his many travel experiences, socialising with children that did not speak a common lanuage, and this has actually helped him not judge, but just take people for face value and find a way to get by.
I will not feel guilty for giving him the chance to travel and experience the world, im a firm believer in you have to live it to learn it.

His school has been very supportive, offering to keep his place open for his return. We also fully expect to do a journal book with him of his time and experiences, something i think he was just a little too young for last time we went. Saying that he can still tell you the countries that we saw the Orangutans in, Kangaroos and their babies, watched the penguins march up the beach at sunset and visited seal rock in great white season. All things that i think that will help him and not hinder him in his future education.

I am with the schools permission taking my son out for a 6+ month round the world trip starting Jan 2012. I have the total blessing of the school and i will keep in contact with them via the homework forums and school email to keep pushing him in the academic lessons as well as giving him life skills that cant be taught in a classroom. I will continue to do the reading, maths and other homeworks that are deemed appropriate, i will however never feel guilty for giving my child this chance. I may very well repeat it again at a later date on another trip, maybe through South America.

Im not sure how it would be looked upon by state schools, but at my sons independant school it is not seen as a negative, more a positive to step outside the norm.

I do not feel bad, he is five. He was an early starter having being an august born and i am happy to take that year into my hands and hope he learns things that will stay with him forever. He is already a well travelled little boy after doing a 4 month trip through the south pacfic, Oz and SEA this year.

Children learn in the classroom, but they also learn through their parents and world experiences and as long as the two can meet in the middle i believe i will be providing the best for my childs future.

red_devil

its up to you. I did when son was younger for a holiday. You cant always fit in with school holidays as they are dearer and hotter.

the working adults are important too they need a break. I think if the general attendance is good then it does not matter.