Term Time Holiday

neverdespairgirl

We took our son out of school for a week in the autumn term when he was 6, to go to Israel for that week.

There is a group of Jewish holidays in Sept / Oct (the dates vary according to our calender, because the Jewish one is different).

We both, particularly OH, thought it important that DS experienced religious holidays in Israel at least once with his extended family - OH's family is all in Israel, apart from me, our son, and OH's brother. It has very important cultural and religious significance for OH, and helps DS with his Hebrew, too.

We talked to the headmistress about it, and she agreed, on condition that Isaac tell his class about the experience, and show photos, when he returned.

We couldn't go at a different time of year - Jewish New Year, the Day of Atonement, etc, don't fall in English summer holidays!

neverdespairgirl

Loz01 wrote: »

Also Im not being funny but why do people 'own up' to taking their kids out of school to the headmaster if you're going to be fined £80 a child?! Just write a note to say they were ill for a week with sore throat/flu/bad tooth/sickness, surely thats not unauthorised absence?

I'm not being funny, but are you seriously suggesting that it's a good idea to coach your child to lie in that way?

Teacher says, "So, John, hope you are feeling better from your nasty cold?"

And you are expecting little John to learn the lesson that lying is a great thing to do, presumably?

I would never, ever, put my son in a position like that where he had to confirm or uphold a lie.

coolcait

hayhay2010 wrote: »

my husband has only managed to get 4 days off in a row in the summer holiday result we will not go. Will probably have the same issue next summer holiday too so it is not always just about money.

Why don't you just take him out of work for a week? Or write a note for his boss, saying that he has a bad cold? :cool:

Sometimes it's not possible to go away on a holiday - for many, many reasons.

That doesn't mean that you can't spend family time together.

I'm not entirely sure when - or why - people started to see a holiday as some kind of necessity.

maman

coolcait wrote: »

Why don't you just take him out of work for a week? Or write a note for his boss, saying that he has a bad cold? :cool:

Loving it!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

pollypenny

Zoetoes wrote: »

And we're having 2 weeks in Florida in September, no idea whether it'll be allowed now as the new rules will be in then, although the school say if attendance is 95% or more they're ok with it.

And his attendance is good and his work is top notch so should be ok.

How old is your son?

In September it's probable that your son's teachers will be introducing new topics, in every subject.

September is probably the worse time to miss school.

maman

pollypenny wrote: »

How old is your son?

In September it's probable that your son's teachers will be introducing new topics, in every subject.

September is probably the worse time to miss school.

Totally agree. New friendships form around new classes, new seating plans, new setting arrangements, new teachers, new schools even. Children feel left out of friendship groups when they return.

With a very few exceptions (like ill health) most of the parents who are pro term time holidays just seem to be looking for ways to justify their decisions that they know to be wrong.

I'm with coolcait, just take a sicky in the school holidays. Your employer's bound to understand.;)

FBaby

Loz01 wrote: »

Also Im not being funny but why do people 'own up' to taking their kids out of school to the headmaster if you're going to be fined £80 a child?! Just write a note to say they were ill for a week with sore throat/flu/bad tooth/sickness, surely thats not unauthorised absence? Obviously two weeks would be pushing it but one should be okay surely, especially if they rarely have other time off save for the odd day.
!

Because whereas I don't think I am doing anything wrong taking my kids out of school a few days every 3 or 5 years, whatever some say, I do not agree at all in teaching my children to lie to avoid a possible sanction.

glitter_fairy

I have done it once. Was this year for a week for a very much needed break. There have been a lot of things going on and I told the school and they were fine. I dont intend to do it again. I think every now and then is OK but not all the time x

MarilynMonroe_2

I htink its terrible you cant take them out. the likes of my daughter may never get a holiday.
I always had 2 weeks off school for our holidays - what coudl I have possibly missed that was so important I have no idea, but I have lovely holiday memories.

maman

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

I htink its terrible you cant take them out. the likes of my daughter may never get a holiday.
I always had 2 weeks off school for our holidays - what coudl I have possibly missed that was so important I have no idea, but I have lovely holiday memories.

I don't understand the logic in that. Surely all parents get a turn eventually of having leave during school holidays and although the holidays aren't the cheapest you can save up.