taking kids out of school

Jewel_2

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

For all those who are against taking children out of school during term time, I would like to know how much time you have spent in your child's classroom?

I would love to believe that even 80% of time spent in school is productive, but my opinion is that the reality in the state system is far from it, even in the best schools. It's important to make informed decisions and choices, based on reality and not over estimating the learning that takes place in school with c.30 kids/class.

In theory I agree that there is an issue if everyone took time off school etc. I was adamant my children wouldn't miss a day of school unnecessarily when we started out, but sadly feel differently several years down the line. Someone once said that education is too important to let school get in the way. It's a debatable and subjective comment, but raises a valid point.

I have - and it is important - I see the sixteen year olds and you can tell the difference between the parents who see school as important and those who do not, and it does affect the education of the child, if only in attitude.

Cissi

themull1 wrote: »

I have, and will continue to take my kids out of school to get a cheaper holiday, because if i don't we will not get a holiday. We only have one every three years as it is at the moment. I would expect the kids to get extra work on their return if they missed anything. My parents took me out of school for holidays and i still passed my exams and got a job. So nowt lost there!!

But maybe, just maybe, if you'd been raised in a family that valued education more you would today be able to afford more than one term-time holiday every 3 years... I'd like to think that most parents would put their children's future above cheap holidays!

(This is meant to throw a provocative thought in there that isn't really meant at you specifically since I don't know your personal circumstances - but as a generalisation I think it's worth a thought nonetheless)

poet123

Jewel wrote: »

I have - and it is important - I see the sixteen year olds and you can tell the difference between the parents who see school as important and those who do not, and it does affect the education of the child, if only in attitude.

I have four sons all of whom I have taken out of school for up to a week, at varying (but strictly considered) times in the course of their education. By doing so I have certainly not given them the impression that I have little regard for education or that I do not value academic quals, quite the reverse.

They were always aware that I would not have considered it had they had a bad sickness record, poor academic standards or behaviour issues. They were always expected to make up the work missed and I always checked that they had done so. The eldest three are all high achievers, and the youngest is in all top sets, so I have no qualms about my actions.

I think it all comes down to giving consideration of your actions in the light of all sides of the issue. As a lecturer, parent and school governor I see many parents who take their kids out of school for a few days, it rarely, if ever, harms their future, and certainly does not signify lack of support for child or school.

The sixteen year olds I teach who are troublesome, or low achievers certainly do not owe their position to missing school for a few days each year for a family holiday, the roots are much deeper, and more insidious than that. Lack of family, lack of family time, lack of stable influence, disinterested parents who would rather be anyhwere but in the company of their offspring, all these are the factors which precede low achievement, bad behaviour and a disdain for authority.

Ilovecubbage

I have taken my children out of school every single year for 10 days in primary school for any type of holidays. They never missed out due to health, very lucky they are healthy. Once I have taken them out for 3months ( authorised by the head)to go to shool of my origin and when we came back, we found out that they actually didn`t miss anything, they were always at the top and still are.. It is sad, but being involved in school ( not teacher- just helper) most of school time is waisted macking around and espacialy on children who`s parents have no interest and never introduced their children to books or library. The bright children who can read an are interested were given a picture book to look at for 40 minuts - sorry but this made me cry( this was a very good performing school). Our teacher and head always supported different cultures, the kids learn more in another country then in the 3 sqare meters room, quite obvious.
I wouldn`t take them out in the sats or Gcse time as this is quite important.
I understand it maight be more difficult to take them out, but I know a lot of people who resulted in lying , children being ill, which is sad.
I would deffinately take them out again in primary, when I am sure their life opportunity will not indanger their future.

PS: for those who like to patronise, I know about my spelling and don`t care for your remider, I fall into English population just fine as they can not spell to save their life.. I didn`t speak English when I came to this country, but no one can tell the difference now and I read excellent in 4 languages. So taking your kiddy out of school for a few days will not make him illiterate or ignorant. I can vouch for that

Jewel_2

poet123 wrote: »

I have four sons all of whom I have taken out of school for up to a week, at varying (but strictly considered) times in the course of their education. By doing so I have certainly not given them the impression that I have little regard for education or that I do not value academic quals, quite the reverse.

They were always aware that I would not have considered it had they had a bad sickness record, poor academic standards or behaviour issues. They were always expected to make up the work missed and I always checked that they had done so. The eldest three are all high achievers, and the youngest is in all top sets, so I have no qualms about my actions.

I think it all comes down to giving consideration of your actions in the light of all sides of the issue. As a lecturer, parent and school governor I see many parents who take their kids out of school for a few days, it rarely, if ever, harms their future, and certainly does not signify lack of support for child or school.

The sixteen year olds I teach who are troublesome, or low achievers certainly do not owe their position to missing school for a few days each year for a family holiday, the roots are much deeper, and more insidious than that. Lack of family, lack of family time, lack of stable influence, disinterested parents who would rather be anyhwere but in the company of their offspring, all these are the factors which precede low achievement, bad behaviour and a disdain for authority.

Sorry poet, I tend to think that taking a child out of school equates to low achievement, bad behaviour, a disdain for authority, disinterested parents, and a misunderstanding of how education works. Being in the company of your offspring often equates to working with the education system, rather than against it.

poet123

Jewel wrote: »

Sorry poet, I tend to think that taking a child out of school equates to low achievement, bad behaviour, a disdain for authority, disinterested parents, and a misunderstanding of how education works. Being in the company of your offspring often equates to working with the education system, rather than against it.

So you seriously believe that taking a few days off at the end of summer term ( which as stats show is when most parents choose to take term time holidays) affects a child so adversely that it leads to all of the above?

My children, and very many of their friends must be exceptional then. They have degrees, post grad quals etc, and I assure you that all of them value education and the doors it opens. Perhaps because we as parents instilled that into them, and lead by academic example.

Teaching 16/17 year olds for the past 15 years, obviously I have no way of knowing which of them had term time holidays,however, I can tell who has supportive parents, and I dont see a correlation between the two. You apparently do, how do you know who had term time hols?

Mojisola

poet123 wrote: »

So you seriously believe that taking a few days off at the end of summer term ( which as stats show is when most parents choose to take term time holidays) affects a child so adversely that it leads to all of the above?

No, I don't think anyone thinks that. It's when children are taken out of school at some time during the term that it can be very disruptive - not just to their education but to the rest of the class.

In most schools at the moment, it doesn't happen enough to cause major problems because most parents can see that it isn't a good idea and don't do it. In each class - depending on age group, ability range and behaviour - there will be a critical number of absences which will tip the balance and affect the class acheivement.

poet123

Mojisola wrote: »

No, I don't think anyone thinks that. It's when children are taken out of school at some time during the term that it can be very disruptive - not just to their education but to the rest of the class.

In most schools at the moment, it doesn't happen enough to cause major problems because most parents can see that it isn't a good idea and don't do it. In each class - depending on age group, ability range and behaviour - there will be a critical number of absences which will tip the balance and affect the class acheivement.

Jewel equated taking kids out of school with all of the above, and questioned the value (parents who did so) placed on education. I don't think the evidence suports that contention.

Few parents do it regularly, few parents do it for more than a short period. That is as it should be, but it is simply not true that it has such a great adverse effect on the education of the children involved, any more than a short period of sickness does in the average child.