Real life MMD: Should I ask the school for compensation?

blue_angel

bennett2kuk wrote: »

That being said if it was at Primary School then I wouldn't think twice about simply going, secondary school I'd be a bit more hesitant depending on how old your kids are. !

Why is primary education valued less than secondary? The core skills developed in primary education are the building blocks of your child's future.

Augustus_the_Strong

Take the kids out of school for the weeks you've booked, and make sure they do lots of interesting educational things and plenty of exercise on the holiday - it's more fun that way in any case.

mungaman

wozza2k wrote: »

Really? People value a holiday over education?

Chill out Wozza!! It's only a weeks holiday for
crying out loud!! :eek:

mungaman

Take the holiday for sure. Make it interesting, educational & fun.
Kids can learn a lot in a week too!! If it's primary school & no major
exams I wouldn't hesitate on going on the holiday.
Then I'd ring the school & say thanks for giving the kids 2 weeks off!!

rawr_xoxo

I've had the exact same problem, I booked my holiday for their easter dates(this year) last year as soon as they'd officially announced them, however as soon as term started in October, they decided to change JUST the easter term dates...needless to say I've been criticised about going on holiday, when it's clearly their fault since I adhered to THEM well in advance to avoid collisions!

SO I'm off on holiday this Friday, since my lecturer thinks it's perfectly acceptable for her to go away to China for a fortnight.

Double standards!

Marco12452

Take the holiday with the original dates, the school cannot complain they move the goalposts.

babyshoes

I agree that they are unlikely to be the only ones out of school that week. I would expect most teachers not to introduce critical new material that week or to set important tests or deadlines, when it is likely that a significant number of students are going to be absent. I would expect a fair few 'reinforcement of previous work' worksheets, videos and revision type sessions to be planned! Not all lessons will follow this format of course, but I think they will miss a lot less important work than you would expect them to miss in a 'normal' week!

If you are concerned about what they are missing, ask for extra homework to be done in the new half term week. You probably wont' get more than a few hours worth of work anyway - support your kids to get it done during the first weekend then they can enjoy their time off with their mates!

If you are going to be out of pocket by having to take time off to look after them during the new half term time, speak to the head teacher - often local authority youth services run fun holiday courses (for all sorts of things, from outdoor adventure camps to arty things) for part or all of the holiday period - some are even 'residential'. Perhaps the local authority would fund one of those for your children, rather than paying 'compensation'.

tindella

Just ask for permission to take the week off. I'm sure any reasonable head would be fine with this. Don't just take it off though - ask first.

tindella

blue_angel wrote: »

Why is primary education valued less than secondary? The core skills developed in primary education are the building blocks of your child's future.

Of course it's important - but any parent worth his/her salt would get some work from the teacher(s) and do it while they are away - or indeed in the real half-term. Primary school topics should not be beyond the intellligence of the average parent - or they shouldn't be parents in the first place.

paulah1007

Schools nowadays are quick to fine parents for taking kids on holiday outside of approved times so, give them a taste of their own medicine!
You should NOT be out of pocket for their mistake