Taking Children out of School in Term Time

duchy

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Oh why are people such a pain? Why get married abroad? And why get married abroad and expect people to gallivant halfway around the planet to go to your wedding?! Do people not realise that people have jobs, and kids in school, and are not made of money?

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Actually people can get married wherever the heck they like .
The unreasonableness comes from expecting other people to shell out to come along (although I suspect *some* people choose to marry abroad because they know certain family have an expectation they'll be invited to their wedding......and they aren't wanted)

I'll be getting married abroad - I'll pay for my son to come and give me away ....and for my best friend to come along and that's it. If anyone else wants to come they will be welcomed and we'll feed them but there is genuinely no expectation either by us that people will come at their own expense or from the rest of the family that we need to put on a "do" although we'll take MIL (who has never flown and won't start at the age of 85 and the step kids and their kids out for a nice meal when we get back.

pinkshoes

As a teacher, I don't mind at all if kids go on holiday in term time, so long as they are not spending the entire time in a bar or by a swimming pool!

A holiday or foreign experience can be a really positive experience for a child, particularly if you make them keep a diary of their experience, and perhaps set them some challenges e.g. To speak some greek to someone, to sketch a statue etc...

Just write to the school requesting the time off, point out their excellent attendance, and let them know the cultural experience that you hope your child will gain. You could even offer for them to present their diary when they get back. Also tell them that you will make sure they catch up on any work missed.

They are just exchanging their school for an alternative education for the week.

fivesquare

pinkshoes wrote: »

As a teacher, I don't mind at all if kids go on holiday in term time, so long as they are not spending the entire time in a bar or by a swimming pool!

A holiday or foreign experience can be a really positive experience for a child, particularly if you make them keep a diary of their experience, and perhaps set them some challenges e.g. To speak some greek to someone, to sketch a statue etc...

Just write to the school requesting the time off, point out their excellent attendance, and let them know the cultural experience that you hope your child will gain. You could even offer for them to present their diary when they get back. Also tell them that you will make sure they catch up on any work missed.

They are just exchanging their school for an alternative education for the week.

Thanks, I'm feeling less guilty that I'm taking my child skiing in February, missing one day of school, the Friday before half term. Should I ask for permission or just go? I don't want to lie to the headteacher but I suspect I won't be given permission.

Mojisola

fivesquare wrote: »

Thanks, I'm feeling less guilty that I'm taking my child skiing in February, missing one day of school, the Friday before half term. Should I ask for permission or just go? I don't want to lie to the headteacher but I suspect I won't be given permission.

Either way, it will be marked as an unauthorised absence.

fivesquare

@Mojisola: I know. My child had one of those last year too, but apart from that, no other absences, not even sick days. Last year I didn't request permission though. I called the school and told them we were flying that day.

Mojisola

fivesquare wrote: »

@Mojisola: I know. My child had one of those last year too, but apart from that, no other absences, not even sick days. Last year I didn't request permission though. I called the school and told them we were flying that day.

Sometimes that's the best way. If you know you're going to go even if you don't get permission (and don't expect to get permission), it seems pointless making the request.

Jagraf

fivesquare wrote: »

Thanks, I'm feeling less guilty that I'm taking my child skiing in February, missing one day of school, the Friday before half term. Should I ask for permission or just go? I don't want to lie to the headteacher but I suspect I won't be given permission.

You mean just go and not inform the school of the absence? How does that work? What will your child say to the teacher on their return? :eek: isn't that AWOL?

I used to love the last day of term at school. My DD now 15 never wanted to miss school - specially first and last days.

Jagraf

Mojisola wrote: »

Either way, it will be marked as an unauthorised absence.

Which looks great on school reports ...

Jagraf

pinkshoes wrote: »

As a teacher, I don't mind at all if kids go on holiday in term time, so long as they are not spending the entire time in a bar or by a swimming pool!

A holiday or foreign experience can be a really positive experience for a child, particularly if you make them keep a diary of their experience, and perhaps set them some challenges e.g. To speak some greek to someone, to sketch a statue etc...

Just write to the school requesting the time off, point out their excellent attendance, and let them know the cultural experience that you hope your child will gain. You could even offer for them to present their diary when they get back. Also tell them that you will make sure they catch up on any work missed.

They are just exchanging their school for an alternative education for the week.

How do you fit that into your planning? I understand the absent child may gain a lot, but what happens on their return re lesson planning, differentiation, large class sizes, group work, tests, etc? Just curious as I used to find absences (albeit with teens) a nightmare. What if every child took a few days? On top of normal sickness absence?

supersaver2

Jagraf wrote: »

How do you fit that into your planning? I understand the absent child may gain a lot, but what happens on their return re lesson planning, differentiation, large class sizes, group work, tests, etc? Just curious as I used to find absences (albeit with teens) a nightmare. What if every child took a few days? On top of normal sickness absence?

I find any type of absence a nightmare. I teach secondary science, maths and further maths and if I had pupils off for large chunks of time they really would miss vital work and this would have a knock on effect on future learning. I don't mind spending time doing extra lessons after school if the pupil has been off for illness, but would find it galling using my time to teach 2 weeks worth of work to a pupil that has been sunning themselves on a beach!