Holiday in term time not authorised, will I be fined?

sunshinetours

ash28 wrote: »

This isn't a cost issue, in the past it's been a "time off" issue - 2 different things entirely. Why do people assume that annual leave taken when you like is a right - it isn't - the annual leave is a right but when it is taken is not.

Taking our holidays in the summer break from school actually suits us far better than taking GS out of school during term time - we like to go away for longer than 2 weeks - this year it was 4 weeks in August. It was exactly the same for our own children - but as OH had done the same job for over 34 years (before we had children) it wasn't an issue that ever went away. It's easy for people to say change jobs - but not quite as simple in practice. The education of our children and our grandson was and is important to us - but not to the exclusion of everything else. Spending an extended period of time with a father or grandfather (when they don't see a lot of them) is important too.

We took early retirement in October last year so the time off issue for us has disappeared - GS will complete his year - I said I would have no qualms in taking him out of school after the SATS - not that I was going to. But I would have absolutely no qualms in removing him, IF we wanted to.

This year (Year 6) GS's school will stop formal lessons after the SATS so that's about 7 weeks with no academic learning. And yes, as you say rehearsing for a school play is a learning experience which will include team building etc - in Year 5 the week long school residential trip in term time was partly to promote team building. And surely if the Year 6 school production promotes team building then so do all of the Christmas play rehearsals.

By the time GS goes back to school in September of 2012 he won't have had a formal lesson since May 2012. A total of about 13 weeks, surely just as damaging academically as parents taking their child out of school for a week or two - more so I would have thought.

If we for one minute had thought taking them out of school damaged our children's or GS's life chances, or had a particularly detrimental affect academically we would have hired a tutor. None of our children or GS are "gifted", they and he are probably a bit above average - but nothing special - currently GS's year (60 children) is split into 3 sets for maths and English, he is in the top set for both. His Year 5 report gave him Level 1 (above national expectations) with an A for maths and English. So not thick, but not outstanding either.

I just think it a little bit hypocritical of schools to preach one thing and practice another.

Your post makes a lot of sense for your case - thanks

thatgirlsam

FBaby wrote: »

What are you on about? My DD got a level 5A, but was told by her teacher that she was likely to be just at level 6c. We are not at level 7 yet. As for implying that I am lying, that's pathetic. You know what, maybe I will scan the report and show it you because your condescending attitude is really starting to annoy me! There are bright children around, one happens to be mine, is this a crime?

Ahhh Fbaby this happens to me all the time - I have given up telling people what score my dd got on her SATS... When they ask I cringe

I have been called a fantasist and a liar in here before too!

For the record she got 5A for English, 5b for Maths and 5A for Science

Her primary school teacher has told me she is capable of working at a much higher level and we are now waiting to see what she has score in the CATS in Yr7

Of course there are bright children around.. I often feel like apologising for the fact that mine is one of them

thatgirlsam

Also... even though she has 2 unauthorised absences her attendance was 98.5%, she didn't have one day off through illness for the whole year... mind you nor did I! We are a healthy bunch ;-)

FBaby

I can't believe I am lowering myself to transcript my daughter's report, but I find your implying that I could be lying really offensive. Would I need to forward to you in case your next assertion is that I am making this up, please let me know.....

Directly transcripted: In Maths, A is nothing short of outstanding. Her understanding of number is tremendous and she uses a range of mental and written strategies with great confidence. Her work is very well presented and is always clear and organised. This year, I have often given A some very challenging work; she has risen to this. What impresses me most about A is her ability to apply what she has learnt to new situations. This was reflected in her practice SATs paper where in all the tests she received almost full marks. A has had some great success in maths, but she mustn't feel disheartened if she is unsure about something. She often feels disappointed in herself if she gets something wrong, but she must understand that she is tackling very complicated work and that learning from our mistakes is often more beneficial than getting it right first time. Overall, A should feel thrilled with her achievements in math this year. Very well done A. Level 5a, effort A

Overall comment: A has been an outstanding pupil and an absolute delight to teach this year. She is a very happy young lady who always takes a positive approach to school life and works very hard. A has a great circle of friends and is a popular girl amongst the children in the class. She is a very kind, considerate and helpful pupil who can be trusted with any kid of responsibility. A maintains an excellent attitude in every lesson and consistently produces work is always beautifully presented with a high standard of content. her behaviour is exemplary - she is one of the few who have never had to turn their card once! This has been maintained throughout the year and by doind so A sets an excellent example for other pupils. A is an extremely intelligent young lady and she always makes interesting and helpful contributions fot the class. I would be keen for her to be continually pushed in all areas of the curriculum as A has something special. Congratulations A!

And yes, I am massively proud of my DD achievements...

thatgirlsam

SINBAD wrote: »

Er, no! It's because we care about our pupils' futures!

Not more than their parents, I assure you

FBaby

thatgirlsam wrote: »

Ahhh Fbaby this happens to me all the time - I have given up telling people what score my dd got on her SATS... When they ask I cringe

I have been called a fantasist and a liar in here before too!

For the record she got 5A for English, 5b for Maths and 5A for Science

Her primary school teacher has told me she is capable of working at a much higher level and we are now waiting to see what she has score in the CATS in Yr7

Of course there are bright children around.. I often feel like apologising for the fact that mine is one of them

Thank you for your message. I can't believe I got to the stage or writing in my daughter's report just to show that yes, some kids do very well, even when they are taken out of school in terms time! Congratulations to your DD. Hope she continues to shine in secondary school.

thatgirlsam

FBaby wrote: »

Thank you for your message. I can't believe I got to the stage or writing in my daughter's report just to show that yes, some kids do very well, even when they are taken out of school in terms time! Congratulations to your DD. Hope she continues to shine in secondary school.

Me too!

People keep telling me that Secondary ruins 'em but I am hopeful that won't happen

poet123

gregg1 wrote: »

The intelligence I referred to was that of the parent (or rather lack of it).;)

You are correct on one thing though. I certainly cannot understand the thought process of parents who do everything in their power to get their kids into the best schools around but then pick and choose which school rules they will follow.

So, you are now saying that those of us who take our bright;) kids out of school lack intelligence?

The holidays in term time policy is a universal policy not a school specific one, and certainly not designated a school rule, so your last point is irrelevant as whatever school they attended that policy would apply.

flimsier

FBaby wrote: »

Level 5a

and I could quote a load of other posts, where she's now level 5 and "likely to reach 6c".

You can forgive me for being confused. Your previous posts said that she was level 6, which to me means she's learning level 7 (though there are obviously four strands of mathematics and substrands so the profile of a student is usually not consistent at all)

FBaby wrote: »

And how about the fact that my DD teacher told her that she had reached level 6 in Maths, but she couldn't teach her at that level because it was beyond her expectations in Y6, so my DD spent most of the last months of school doing things that she already knew how to do. I'm not angry with the school they did challenge her as best as they could and I am grateful for the time they spent to do so, but again, total double standards, ok for the school to say there is a limit to the level they can teach my child, but my claiming that she might not have missed anything by being away for a week and I am taken to pieces

If the school can't teach a student at level 6, there are problems.
Now they're "about to reach 6c" which is a very different story.

If a school or teacher spent months getting any student to do something they don't need to do, that's inadequate.

I only used your words. Your child was/is too clever for the school. You wrote that.
It has nothing to do with me; I take what you write at face value, and hence if the above is true, the school is failing your child.



Poet - my point about changing the parameters is that your argument can be used to argue a patently absurd position. I know you weren't arguing the absurd position. But if that's the case (that it can be used to reinforce that absurd position), surely you can see that the argument cannot hold and needs revisiting. It's a version of counterexample (not strictly, but I'm sure you get the point).

FBaby

flimsier wrote: »

You can forgive me for being confused. Your previous posts said that she was level 6, which to me means she's learning level 7 (though there are obviously four strands of mathematics and substrands so the profile of a student is usually not consistent at all)

My previous post as you quoted again said that the teacher had told me she believed she had reached level 6. She however couldn't test her at that level to confirm it because they didn't do it at the school. She hasn't been assessed this year in Maths yet (which is actually something I shall be discussing with her tutor tomorrow!) but don't worry I'll keep you posted!!!

Really I have no idea why you are diverting the discussion around whether my DD might be a 6c or only trying to achieve it. WHO CARES! You just seemed to hint that I was making up that she was a bright child. 5a or 6c, she IS a bright pupil and I really, really don't understand why that fact seems to cause you problems... unless indeed, you can't help yourself being argumentative no matter what, so indeed, I am not taking it personally