Schools no longer allowed to authorise holidays

securityguy

kelloggs36 wrote: »

Not read the whole thread - sorry - but Mr Gove's latest proposals are to make the school holidays SHORTER

No it isn't. There are various six term proposals floating around (didn't Gloucestershire moot one recently) in which rather than having three terms each with a one week half term, two weeks at each of Christmas and Easter and the balance of the 12/13 weeks of holiday in the summer, there would be something like six equal terms separated by six equal-ish holidays. Probably the February half term would be left at a week and tacked on to the summer, and some other time would be found from somewhere to make a four or five week summer. The idea would be that children are no longer needed in the fields for harvest (the summer holiday obviously predates anyone actually taking summer holidays) and by providing two week periods in June and October there would be more options for parents, and options which are off-peak in Europe and therefore cheaper.

Schemes like this have failed, mostly because people who have done things like buy fixed-time timeshares object and general purpose conservatism. But obvious, everyone on MSE is an educational paragon who provides good opportunity and coaching for their children all year around, but we might all perhaps accept that there are non-MSE readers who don't, and evidence for children returning in September having slipped back is especially strong amongst children who are already disadvantaged. And for everyone bleating that it would makes their holiday in the Dominican Republic more expensive, there's someone who can't work because childcare over the summer is impossible, so you will not be able to please everyone.

seven-day-weekend

Spendless wrote: »

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.

Those all sound like reasonable reasons.

Kaz2904

We were going to take ours out of school next year for a few days as we are going on a road trip around California, Nevada and Arizona. We have spent some happy evenings looking up the places to go and the geography (we're going to the Grand Canyon ). Flights aren't out yet nor is our annual leave request book for work. Not sure if I'll be able to get time off in the summer for the trip as it will need 2.5 weeks.
I don't quite know what to do now, I feel it is exceptional circumstances as I can't get the whole time in the school holidays. It is also likely to be very educational and the kids will learn tons. In fact, they are already learning weird little facts about places en route .
SiL thought they may get turned down for their holiday this year (annual trip to Spain, pulls both kids out for a week as it's cheaper- even though they can afford to pay extra). Nephew is in year 7 but she was told that because it's an academy, they don't have to follow the government guidelines.

jellyhead

My eldest's school became an academy at the same time as they stopped authorising holidays. Is it up the each head?

kelloggs36

securityguy wrote: »

No it isn't. There are various six term proposals floating around (didn't Gloucestershire moot one recently) in which rather than having three terms each with a one week half term, two weeks at each of Christmas and Easter and the balance of the 12/13 weeks of holiday in the summer, there would be something like six equal terms separated by six equal-ish holidays. Probably the February half term would be left at a week and tacked on to the summer, and some other time would be found from somewhere to make a four or five week summer. The idea would be that children are no longer needed in the fields for harvest (the summer holiday obviously predates anyone actually taking summer holidays) and by providing two week periods in June and October there would be more options for parents, and options which are off-peak in Europe and therefore cheaper.

Schemes like this have failed, mostly because people who have done things like buy fixed-time timeshares object and general purpose conservatism. But obvious, everyone on MSE is an educational paragon who provides good opportunity and coaching for their children all year around, but we might all perhaps accept that there are non-MSE readers who don't, and evidence for children returning in September having slipped back is especially strong amongst children who are already disadvantaged. And for everyone bleating that it would makes their holiday in the Dominican Republic more expensive, there's someone who can't work because childcare over the summer is impossible, so you will not be able to please everyone.

Well, the news I read stated that he wanted to shorten the holidays - there was nothing to mention them being spread out over the year. Funny though, how this doesn't happen anywhere else? I personally would rather have less holiday at Easter and have it tagged on to the summer with the possibility of nicer weather with the family than stuck in a stuffy classroom all day with the children disengaged as they want to be outside. We don't have a field we can go on, and the playground isn't conducive to taking lessons outside, so we just swelter in the classroom - honestly it is like a sauna!

Janepig

kelloggs36 wrote: »

Well, the news I read stated that he wanted to shorten the holidays - there was nothing to mention them being spread out over the year. Funny though, how this doesn't happen anywhere else? I personally would rather have less holiday at Easter and have it tagged on to the summer with the possibility of nicer weather with the family than stuck in a stuffy classroom all day with the children disengaged as they want to be outside. We don't have a field we can go on, and the playground isn't conducive to taking lessons outside, so we just swelter in the classroom - honestly it is like a sauna!

I seem to find that the nice weather we get, certainly in recent years, seems to be around Easter time, April time. Then we get some more nice weather towards the end of September. The last few years, July and August have been very Autumnal.

I certainly wouldn't want the school summer holidays to be any longer - my two are usually champing at the bit to get back by mid-August.

Jx

Dunroamin

duchy wrote: »

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)

Not everybody wants to go to resorts for their holidays.

sovilla

I havent read the whole thread but just wanted to put in my experience.

I have 5 children and have just come back from 5 days in flamingo land. Mon - Fri. We booked it to give our children a bit of enjoyment as 2 of their grandparents have been having treatment for cancer and ive been an emotional wreck and we just really wanted some fun time.

My eldest daughter who is 8 was authorised to go as she as been showing signs of upset at school. My other daughter who is 6 was not authorised as they said that it wasnt affecting her. My 3 others are not oficially at compulsory school age so although the holidays wasnt authorised they cannot give a penalty. We will however be given a penalty for the 6 year old. Which will be £100, £50 for their dad and £50 for me. I am actually their step mum and oficially have no legal right over the children, I cannot authorise school trips or authorise an emergency operation if needed, however the Education Welfare officer is still going to fine me because I went on holiday with them.

I spent the whole of last week arguing till I was blue in the face, saying how can you authorise one but not the other, should I leave the others at home. The whole situation caused me more stress than I really needed.

We got back today and I have to say the kids had a great time, and are feeling happier and refreshed.

I will wait for the penalty, im not sure im going to be able to afford to pay it so it may go to court. But we will just have to see what happens.

balletshoes

sovilla wrote: »

I havent read the whole thread but just wanted to put in my experience.

I have 5 children and have just come back from 5 days in flamingo land. Mon - Fri. We booked it to give our children a bit of enjoyment as 2 of their grandparents have been having treatment for cancer and ive been an emotional wreck and we just really wanted some fun time.

My eldest daughter who is 8 was authorised to go as she as been showing signs of upset at school. My other daughter who is 6 was not authorised as they said that it wasnt affecting her. My 3 others are not oficially at compulsory school age so although the holidays wasnt authorised they cannot give a penalty. We will however be given a penalty for the 6 year old. Which will be £100, £50 for their dad and £50 for me. I am actually their step mum and oficially have no legal right over the children, I cannot authorise school trips or authorise an emergency operation if needed, however the Education Welfare officer is still going to fine me because I went on holiday with them.

I spent the whole of last week arguing till I was blue in the face, saying how can you authorise one but not the other, should I leave the others at home. The whole situation caused me more stress than I really needed.

We got back today and I have to say the kids had a great time, and are feeling happier and refreshed.

I will wait for the penalty, im not sure im going to be able to afford to pay it so it may go to court. But we will just have to see what happens.

in circumstances as you describe, I would let the LEA take me to court.

Poppy9

balletshoes wrote: »

in circumstances as you describe, I would let the LEA take me to court.

I agree as it's very unlikely they will chase such a debt!