Holidays with kids in school time, have you done it?

Hastobe_Katt

The underlying assumption in many of the above posts is that the only educational option is school - and that nothing done outside school is of intellectual or educational value. It also assumes that parents are stupid, irresponsible and out of touch with what their children are doing in class and so cannot support them at home. Whilst this may be the case for some parents it is not always the situation.

A number of my friends 'home educate' - so their children never attend a conventional school. All the children have had a very practical hands on education, all have done well (one is a now GP).

kelloggs36

Hastobe_Katt wrote: »

The underlying assumption in many of the above posts is that the only educational option is school - and that nothing done outside school is of intellectual or educational value. nobody has said that - what we are saying is that school (for those who do not home educate) runs for 39 weeks in a year - a child is required to attend unless they are ill. School holidays are ample at 13 weeks of that year, and so the complimentary education that holidays can provide can be taken during the very generous time - it does not need to replace the education provided by the state.It also assumes that parents are stupid, irresponsible and out of touch with what their children are doing in class and so cannot support them at home. nobody has said that either - however many parents would expect teachers to take extra time out to ensure that their child does not fall behind, when it is in fact their responsibility to ensure that this does not happen and they can easily do this by sending them to school during the school terms Whilst this may be the case for some parents it is not always the situation.

A number of my friends 'home educate' - so their children never attend a conventional school. All the children have had a very practical hands on education, all have done well (one is a now GP).

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Hastobe_Katt

"...a child is required to attend unless they are ill..."

No they are not:

The 10 days leave of absence allowed by the regulations applies only once each school year.

Requests for Leave of Absence

Governing bodies have the discretionary power to grant leave of absence to a pupil to take a family holiday during term time. The following points will be considered when the request for leave of absence is considered:

• The child's previous attendance history.
• The age of the child.
• The child's stage of education (is it a year in which tests or examinations are to be taken?).
• The time of year.
• The nature of the trip (is it an exceptional experience?).
• Whether the parents are genuinely restricted by their employer as to when their holidays may be taken.

Points to Remember

• A maximum of ten school days absence each school year may be requested.
• Holidays in term time must be discussed with the school, and permission obtained from the Governing Body, before they are taken.
• Holidays can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
• Absences for holidays taken without the prior permission of the school will be marked as 'unauthorised' absence in the register.
• No parent can demand leave of absence for a holiday as a right. Permission for the absence may not be given.

It is particularly important to avoid holiday's in term time during a year in which a child is due to take SAT's or GCSE examinations. No parent can demand leave of absence as a right, and permission must be sought from the school. Except for in exceptional circumstances, the period should not exceed 10 school days in any school year.

kelloggs36

because it is discretionary it means that the school can refuse, translating as the children should attend school!

gregg1

blue_monkey wrote: »

Do you not think our kids need the continuity of a teacher? It is also disruptive for teachers to come and go whether it is for training days or illness.

So why is it OK for a teacher to have time off in term time but not for the children?

Surely you need to plan your babies births and operations for half term and school holidays too?

Is my child having a week off to go on holiday any different to another child being off for a bad stomach?

What can I say? You are right, I should have planned for my appendix to burst during the holidays - how thoughtless of me !!!!!

gratefulforhelp_2

shellsuit wrote: »

Then they can't catch up completely when they're off sick for a week or 2 either.

Agreed, but unless the parent is letting them skive, it is unavoidable.

shellsuit wrote: »

I'm not worrying about it, was just curious that's all.

Teachers do not need someone to explain their work to them or help them with it, students do.

blue_monkey wrote: »

Do you not think our kids need the continuity of a teacher? It is also disruptive for teachers to come and go whether it is for training days or illness.

Agreed.

So why is it OK for a teacher to have time off in term time but not for the children?

It is no more ok.

Surely you need to plan your babies births and operations for half term and school holidays too?

I did, but unfortunately couldn't plan the ensuing traumatic miscarriage, and I find your comments quite offensive.

Is my child having a week off to go on holiday any different to another child being off for a bad stomach?

Yes, beacuse a bad stomach is unavoidable.

Zoetoes

And perhaps some parents have taken the kids away for a much needed break after a difficult time themselves.

gratefulforhelp_2

Well the point is...you can have a much-needed holiday in school holidays, you can't schedule, for example, an NHS operation in the school holidays.

shellsuit

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

Well the point is...you can have a much-needed holiday in school holidays, you can't schedule, for example, an NHS operation in the school holidays.

Some people can only take certain weeks off work, so not everyone can book for the school holidays.

gratefulforhelp_2

shellsuit wrote: »

Some people can only take certain weeks off work, so not everyone can book for the school holidays.

Really? None of those 13 weeks are available? I can imagine that being true in the forces if you are posted abroad, but other jobs?