Holidaying in Term time

iammumtoone

giraffe69 wrote: »

It is certainly the case that if the school makes the absence unauthorised then if that is the only one absolutely nothing will happen.

Thank you that has reassured me, I certainly don't intend to so this again (the stress of it is not good). I will hand the form in and leave that section blank as I really don't have any excuses the reason I am doing it is for cost. Yes I believe it will help his social development but it would help his social development it I took him in the school holidays (I just can't afford to take him then)

In some ways I wish I hadn't booked it, personally I am dreading the holiday trying to keep track of a five year old on my own in busy places like Butlins is not going to be easy (it would be even busier in school holidays) We will be fine in the daytimes but I hate the evening entertainment when he is off on his own and I will just be sitting their on my own worrying he is ok I suffer from anxiety so worry more that then average person, when I am on my own it makes my situation worse. I am going for my sons benefit he will love it and I can't let my issues impact on his life.

Dragonista

Education is the most valuable thing you can give a child. It's the only thing that can never be taken away from you as an adult.

This includes both academic and non-academic education, so I agree your son's need for social development is important, as are other life experiences. However, the law is there to protect the right to academic education for our children. That includes not removing them during term time. Your son has social interactions at school and kids get plenty of holidays, though I appreciate that the prices go up (outrageous). His education is your son's human right, one we are fortunate enough to access as Brits.

Go on your holiday though, it's not worth fretting over. But I'd think carefully about taking his schooling away in future because it may do your son a great dis-service in the long run.

Have fun!

P.S Don't worry about getting in trouble, since he attends school regularly it probably wont be flagged up.

wannabeasupersaver

Hi, I am one the attendance teachers in my school and usually a school will authorise up to 10 days holiday in an academic year, although this is the school's choice so some may not. If your child does have good attendance your time away, authorised or not, will not have any impact on anything. Parents will only be chased by the education welfare officer if attendance is below a certain percentage. This one trip away will not put your child in this category.

As for the evenings at Butlins and worrying about where your child is when we go we try to make sure we get a table down near the dance floor/ stage floor area so he has a space to run free and mix with others but I can keep my eye on him at all times. I don't suffer with anxiety but I would be worried too if my LO who is almost 5 were off in places I couldn't keep an eye on him. Butlins is too big with too many people for me to be happy to let him roam far. X

giraffe69

usually a school will authorise up to 10 days holiday in an academic year

I'm sure some schools will but this is supposed to be for exceptional leave i.e. family bereavement not for holidays booked because they are cheaper in term time.

greenface

For the past 3 years we ave taken our DD out of school at properly timed 2 weeks (away from exams etc) We have a holiday away as it is the only time we can get away with her for other family reasons . We tell the school we dont ask permission . Our DD is never absent otherwise

sugarwalsh

OP, I have faced the same dilemma many times now - having 4 kids of varying ages and little money we grab the opportunity to take a family holiday when we can. For the last three years my parents have taken my older 2 with them skiing. Twice this has been during term time and once I took the younger children out of school to go too. This year they went during holiday time as my brother and his family went and as his wife is a teacher they had to go during the Easter break. I have never had an issue with letting them go because my dad has dementia and it is only a matter of time before he wont be able to take them. To me, the time they spend together on the mountain can never be replaced or compared to what they learn at school,
My older two children are both in their top sets (gifted and talented or whatever it is called these days) and amongst the brightest in their year. They rarely miss days due to illness and when they do they catch up. Perhaps if they missed lots of school or were struggling then I would think differently, but I would like to think not. The time we have as a family, especially with my Dad, can never be 'got back' or repeated. Their holidays are an education in their own right and I do not regret a single moment.
Go, enjoy your holiday, and ignore those who think education can take place solely in a classroom.
Mx

apesxx

family have told us that they are taking us and the children to orlando next year. This is the trip of a lifetime for us as it would be a long time before we could afford it (all we need is spends). As we are not paying for it we cant really dictate dates and to be honest i dont really care if they have to miss 2 weeks of school as it is going to be so amazing for them. Even if i end up having to pay the £50 each child fine it will still be more than worth it.

giraffe69

We tell the school we dont ask permission

And the school may let you get away with this but you have an obligation to send your child to school(alright you could go for home education) and if you don't do so other than for reasons such as illness you do need permission. If you don't have permission then this will be an unauthorised absence. Now the chances of this mattering much or there being a fine are small.
It was amazing I found how many parents would do this and then get very excited when the end of year report showed a number of unauthorised absences.

svjoc1987

My Parents used to take me and my brother out of school during term times and it never did us any harm

My parents used to tell our school that we had to have holidays during term time as with the nature of their job it wasnt always possible to have time off during school holidays (my parents are nurses)

sooty&sweep

Hi

As long as your son is a good attender generally, keeping up with his reading etc etc a week away will not hinder him.

If you''re worried have a word with his teacher to check what he''ll be missing.

Go and enjoy your holiday !

Jen