Schools no longer allowed to authorise holidays

Mojisola

scotty1971 wrote: »

i am just finishing my nursing degree,and i will be taking my kids out of school for two weeks at the end of august(stay in Scotland,schools just going back then) as that's when my course ends.so i couldn't care less what the school say's as i think its what my kids deserve,as the have had to put up with me not being around much with studying and work.going to spend some quality family time together

Remember that the school doesn't have any discretion in this matter now. That's been taken away by the government.

If you take the children out, the school will be obliged to fine you.

kelloggs36

Not read the whole thread - sorry - but Mr Gove's latest proposals are to make the school holidays SHORTER so that will mean that there is an even smaller window where children can go on holiday and it will push prices even higher with the competition cramming to get all their holidays in a shorter space of time. I really don't think it is a good idea - children deserve a break from school and the answer isn't to make the holidays shorter if they forget things - it doesn't seem to be a problem in other countries who have LONGER holidays than our children. Are our children so different that they are the only ones who forget things?

Janepig

kelloggs36 wrote: »

Not read the whole thread - sorry - but Mr Gove's latest proposals are to make the school holidays SHORTER so that will mean that there is an even smaller window where children can go on holiday and it will push prices even higher with the competition cramming to get all their holidays in a shorter space of time. I really don't think it is a good idea - children deserve a break from school and the answer isn't to make the holidays shorter if they forget things - it doesn't seem to be a problem in other countries who have LONGER holidays than our children. Are our children so different that they are the only ones who forget things?

My understanding was that it'll be the same amount of holidays, just spread out more over the year rather than the six weeks in the summer holidays, which is just far too long and is a throwback to when children used to have to help with the harvest. But that's been talked about for a long time, nothing's ever been done.

Jx

pigpen

Janepig wrote: »

My understanding was that it'll be the same amount of holidays, just spread out more over the year rather than the six weeks in the summer holidays, which is just far too long and is a throwback to when children used to have to help with the harvest. But that's been talked about for a long time, nothing's ever been done.

Jx

I'd like an extra couple of weeks at Christmas please.. so I don't have to drag everyone out in the dark in a morning and bring them home in the dark on an evening and we all get freezing cold.. please!!

Janepig

pigpen wrote: »

I'd like an extra couple of weeks at Christmas please.. so I don't have to drag everyone out in the dark in a morning and bring them home in the dark on an evening and we all get freezing cold.. please!!

I think it's something like three weeks at Christmas and Easter instead of two that was being mooted. That would leave four weeks in the summer. I drop my two off in school at 7.45am on the way to work so whether it's dark or not I've still got to drag myself out!!

ETA - I'd like the extra week to be after Christmas though - the thought of an extra week before Christmas with two super wound up kids at home? Oh no!

Jx

Spendless

pigpen wrote: »

I'd like an extra couple of weeks at Christmas please.. so I don't have to drag everyone out in the dark in a morning and bring them home in the dark on an evening and we all get freezing cold.. please!!

I wouldn't. Childcare is a flaming nightmare in this area at Christmas time either extremely limited or non existent. The last week of the school summer hols following the august BH is the same for some strange reason. I'd have 2 weeks off Oct and 2 weeks off at May, that gives people 2 additional school hols weeks in which to take a fortnights hol, just shhhhhh don't tell the holiday companies.:p

Spendless

kat360 wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up:j, I was dreading my lo starting school and hubbys got a lot of OOAs coming up

Our LA has sent out a letter to say what qualifies as 'exceptional circumstances'. They have stated

where a company does not allow for it's employees to take a holiday within school holidays

serving member of armed forces about to go on or returing from a tour of duty abroad.

due to a medical or emotional upheaval where a holiday has been recommended by a health professional.

You need to submit written evidence from the emplyer/health professional.

We have just had a holiday outside of term time authorised for next year under those rules by submitting evidence for our request.

gregg1

littlerat wrote: »

I have a thought - will schools still be taking kids out for "educational" trips and skiing trips, or will that have to stop?

Well the annual seaside trip to Spain which my OH's school has been doing for years has stopped this year due to the expense for parents. I actually think that is not a bad thing. I think schools should forget expensive trips, they just create pressure and financial worries for parents in many cases.

zagfles

jellyhead wrote: »

I love the UK, although I suppose the only foreign holidays that I've had weren't to special or especially interesting places.

Unless a child is particularly Disney mad I think they would be just as happy with Thomas Land or Peppa Pig World. My son was excited to meet Sonic The Hedgehog at Alton Towers a couple of years ago, and he met the Moshi Monsters there too which was very exciting :rotfl:

A mum I know recently suggested Disneyland but her children begged her to take them back to Peppa Pig world instead

Yes, ours weren't fussed by Disney at all - they enjoyed Gulliver's World more! I get the feeling its really parents who want to go to Disneyland/world more than the kids My wife's certainly a much bigger Disney fan than our kids (treated her to a couple of nights at the Disney hotel in LA on our honeymoon!).

duchy

I've always taken the view that if you choose a holiday the kids enjoy and have lots to do -it becomes the ideal parent's holiday as nothing stresses me out more than "I'm boooooored" !" (one reason to go abroad - UK resorts are fine if the weather is good but most are literally a wash out in the rain and cold unless you spend a fair bit extra)