Term Time Holiday

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I think holidays are as important to a child as education. Even if your holiday is an all inclusive to spain and you never leave the hotel.

A holiday is an experience, an opportunity to learn a language, try new food, mix with other kids, learn new games, swim, learn the importance of sun protection. So many things to learn from a simple all incl. If you add some culture to that your child is much better off.

My daughter missed 5 days of school last year going to Mexico. The school kicked up hell of a stink. The simple fact for us was that my husband was on a leave ban during the summer holidays and the ONLY time he could get leave was when we went (one week of half term and a few days into term). So that is when we booked. I don't know what my child missed in school, but I know she learnt spanish, tried new foods, went to one of the seven wonders of the world, visited a Cenote, met and learned about the Mayan people and culture. Learned how to add numbers the historical way. Saw new tropical fish, acted in a disney play at the hotel, and probably one of her most memorable thing, saw Micahel Jackson live (not the real one of course). Unless her school could teach her all that in the 5 days she missed I am not too bothered.

This year she again misses 5 days of school on a holiday to Cuba. Shes in a new school and they have been fine about it. Booked then because it was affordable to my family and I, if I didn't book then we simply couldn't go. I'm looking forward cos there is going to be alot to learn, and if I'm learning she's learning.

If you don't take the mick I can't see how any school can charge you, especially if your child is going to learn so much on a holiday.

neverdespairgirl

maman wrote: »

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 don't think we were wrong to take DS out of school for a week tacked on to half term, so that he could experience Jewish festivals in Israel with his extended family.

That's not going to be possible for over a decade, unless he misses some school, and no-one's going to re-arrange the Jewish high days and holidays to suit the English calendar!

pollypenny

I'm sure schools will have no objection to families taking children off school, apart from crucial times, if patents can only get leave in term time.

However, it's when parents do it regularly, in order to have cheaper prices, that schools are likely to quibble.

MarilynMonroe_2

maman wrote: »

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.

Save up to £500 for a 4 night stay in a caravan when you can go out of term for £100ish?
You might be able to afford that but I certainly can't.

MarilynMonroe_2

pollypenny wrote: »

I'm sure schools will have no objection to families taking children off school, apart from crucial times, if patents can only get leave in term time.

However, it's when parents do it regularly, in order to have cheaper prices, that schools are likely to quibble.

I don't know, my daughter doesnt start till next yr, but from the new guidlines it sounds like only eceptional circumastances would count ... and who decides what is exceptional? Not the headteacher so it goes to the council to decide?

Different if its older kids about to sit exams but for kids 5 - 14 say give them a break!

jellyhead

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

Save up to £500 for a 4 night stay in a caravan when you can go out of term for £100ish?
You might be able to afford that but I certainly can't.

Could you save, and go every 5 years instead of annually?

Also, I go on a 3 or 4 night caravan holiday or Butlins, etc. most years in school holidays and have never paid more than around £125 which is the cost of a Sun holiday.

The Sun holidays always have half terms, easter holidays and either the first or last week of the long summer holiday available. I think the Breakfree holidays do too, although I haven't been on one of those.

Spendless

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

I don't know, my daughter doesnt start till next yr, but from the new guidlines it sounds like only eceptional circumastances would count ... and who decides what is exceptional? Not the headteacher so it goes to the council to decide?

Different if its older kids about to sit exams but for kids 5 - 14 say give them a break!

My LA has already issued a letter about what it classes as 'exceptional circs'. I am paraphrasing here but they are

A parent is a member of the armed forces and about to embark or has just returned from a tour of duty abroad

Where a parent's employers have shut down weeks that are not in school holidays or due to employers operational systems.

When a holiday is recommended by a health professional after a medical or emotional issue

Anything else that you feel is 'exceptional circs' top be referred to the LA.

^^^^ This is from memory so some of the wording may be a bit out. At moment can't get the letter on-line to be exact.

mysk_girl

Is this just for holidays or does it cover odd days for funerals etc. ?

jellyhead

mysk_girl wrote: »

Is this just for holidays or does it cover odd days for funerals etc. ?

I'd hope that a funeral would come under 'exceptional circumstances' ... and some funerals or dying relatives aren't local. They're still important to the family though.

Spendless

mysk_girl wrote: »

Is this just for holidays or does it cover odd days for funerals etc. ?

All requests for absence. I'll have another look see if I can find the letter.