Schools no longer allowed to authorise holidays

duchy

I suspect the per parent thing will get dropped.
You have the issue of single parents claiming the school is penalizing them at double the rate of a family where both parents are resident and also NRPs claiming they didn't know the PWC had even taken the child away.

It's a blinking daft idea.

As kids we usually had our annual holiday at the end of May/beginning of June requiring a week off. It was so common in our area that by the time my son went to primary school -his school had actually made the Whitsun break a two week break and broke up a week later for the summer.....until some parents complained about it as they had children at other schools too and it didn't suit them.

I'd like to see schools been able to choose themselves when holidays are to some degree- although it might need to incorporate a higher priority for sibling places (not a bad thing IMO anyway)

That said I had a boyfriend who always took his daughter on holiday the first two weeks of September -which I thought was exceptionally stupid as it is probably the most unsettling time to do it.

Janepig

Thankfully, afaik this only applies to schools in England. It makes me think though, what's the position on fines if your child is in school, but under the age of 5 (ie, they don't legally have to be there? Also, how much effort will they undertake to check if you say you're going abroad to visit relatives (which appears to be one reason they'll authorise)? I also wonder how much they'll crack down on the fines, and whether people who've been fined will be able to challenge it, particularly if one LEA seems to take a more stringent line than another.

Jx

mum2one

the regulations changed in April this yr, util then it was up to the headmaster to authorise upto 10 days,

The new changes - quick sum up from what I have read - that time off can be authorised if there are exceptional circumstances - not holiday £300 cheaper if we go in June - there is leaway there.

The fines are £60 per child and each parent has to pay that cost - so a for a single parent the fine £60, 2 parent 2 kids, £240 - for the same holiday.

I have phoned in sick for a 3 day break - as it was a once in a lifetime experience, and being disabled there is a lot that i need to consider for a break, so a foreign holiday is a luxury -

This school yr she had 3 days earlier in yr, and then she was signed off school by GP (different situation we have now changed school).

But out of curoisity I looked at taking her away half term in Oct to a hotel that is suitable for my needs - (as there is the two of us - she has to pay an adult price even thou she is under 12) - flying Sun/Sun £1400 - but if we flew the sunday at the end of the half term week same holiday £1000 a week later from that £700.....

not that I have the money to go - but I am sure that some parents would take the £750 holiday be fined £60 -still less than half the price of half term.

The Goverment need to come down on the travel companies and say no you can not charge those prices - then parents won't take kids out.

it is the same for UK holiday sites, butlins, Haven - eg a week in north wales - bronze caravan can be £800 - where as 1st week back at school in sept - same week £250....

duchy

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Parents have at least SIXTEEN WEEKS of the year available to take children away on holiday so why on earth do they decide to go during term-time? I can understand a special family occasion such as an overseas wedding/funeral but just for a family holiday? Purlease!

Cost in some cases- a holiday in early June can be half the price of going in August-it can be the difference for some families in affording or not affording a holiday -also some people have problems securing time off in the holiday times - especially a problem if both parents work and also if a parent has changed jobs so is low in the pecking order for securing popular dates.
Some workplaces give preference of dates to employees who have the longest service -I remember one place I worked there was a gaggle of older women who always insisted on taking August days- even though they didn't go away (as it was too expensive then) or look after grandkids - They just did it because they could. Often those couple of days in August each took knocked out a whole week for parents wanting a block of a week or two for a family holiday.

Upsidedown_Bear

Holidays in term time

You have to get permission if you want to take your child on holiday during term time. You can only do this if:

• an application is made to the head teacher in advance of the holiday by a parent the child normally lives with
• there are special reasons for needing to take the holiday, eg if your holiday leave isn’t flexible

Applications should be made as far in advance of the holiday as possible - and it’s the school’s decision, not a parental right.


From here, dated 30 May 2013.


https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence/overview

~Chameleon~

duchy wrote: »

Cost in some cases- a holiday in early June can be half the price of going in August-it can be the difference for some families in affording or not affording a holiday -also some people have problems securing time off in the holiday times - especially a problem if both parents work and also if a parent has changed jobs so is low in the pecking order for securing popular dates.

I'm sorry but a holiday is a luxury and not an entitlement. I've forsaken many a holiday when my children were younger due to the extra costs involved. Now I'm child-free and can afford to go on holiday during term-time I don't appreciate sharing my pool-side with screaming brats who should be in school

blossom36

Upsidedown_Bear wrote: »

Holidays in term time

You have to get permission if you want to take your child on holiday during term time. You can only do this if:

• an application is made to the head teacher in advance of the holiday by a parent the child normally lives with
• there are special reasons for needing to take the holiday, eg if your holiday leave isn’t flexible

Applications should be made as far in advance of the holiday as possible - and it’s the school’s decision, not a parental right.


From here, dated 30 May 2013.


https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence/overview

This is changing from 1st September 2013 - when heads will no longer be allowed to authorise time off unless in exceptional circumstances, and cannot authorise the old 10 days in a school year. The amended regulations are purposely removing any reference to holidays implying that exceptional circumstances is for emergencies only.

Janepig

Where's the rolling eyes smiley when you need it. You have people without children moaning on this thread that parents have sixteen weeks a year to book a holiday out of term time, so we shouldn't moan at not being allowed to take term time holidays - then on other threads parents get flamed by those without children for wanting/needing to take August/Christmas/Easter/half terms off in work. Parents can't win!

Jx

Janepig

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I'm sorry but a holiday is a luxury and not an entitlement. I've forsaken many a holiday when my children were younger due to the extra costs involved. Now I'm child-free and can afford to go on holiday during term-time I don't appreciate sharing my pool-side with screaming brats who should be in school

Plenty of adult only resorts to be had .

Jx

duchy

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I'm sorry but a holiday is a luxury and not an entitlement. I've forsaken many a holiday when my children were younger due to the extra costs involved. Now I'm child-free and can afford to go on holiday during term-time I don't appreciate sharing my pool-side with screaming brats who should be in school

Don't suppose they appreciate sharing the poolside with a miserable old fogie either Have you considered one of the many adult only hotels that seem to be springing up. Might suit you better.

Tou'll not be the kind of grandparent eager to take the grandkids away either then !! Or maybe you will be and happy to pay double to take them away in peak season