Booking a holiday in term time ?

fluffnutter

Every person feels their reasons are justified. I have a lot of sympathy with someone on the bones of their arse who just want to take the kids away for a bit of fun. Unfortunately the rights of the poor aren't enshrined in law. But the rights of those with disabilities are. So rather than make thinly veiled references to how unique your needs are, why not fight these unjust and unreasonable fines? My argument has, in part, revolved around the law, and I'm the last person to want to see discrimination law flouted.

Parents have successfully argued that they want their children to accompany them on the Hajj, rightly so - they shouldn't be fined for unauthorised absence because they want to participate in something so important to their religion and culture. Similarly then, if you have a child with disabilities who needs a term time holiday then argue your case. Sorry to be an heartless shit but you don't get to play the 'discrimination card' if you're not prepared to state your case.

onlyroz

pinkladyof66 wrote: »

as previously stated my 1st important reason is my son does not deal with lots of people/children around him. we have only ever done out of school holidays before and even for a weekend he cannot cope. we took him to butlins in school holidays and came home after 2 days.. we never had the luxury to be able to take him away before he started school as we literally only had him living with us 6 months before he started school and any one who knows much about an adopted child knows you should not take a child away for a holiday until they are well and truly settled.

If you have a genuine reason beyond cost and your doctor/social worker (or other official body) agrees with you then would that not come under "exceptional circumstances"?

supersaver2

fluffnutter wrote: »

It's shit for teachers too, you know, but no one thinks about that. They have to pay the hiked prices and can't just bugger off for a fortnight and pay a £60 fine either.

No doubt the argument will be 'They chose to be a teacher'. Sure, just like you chose to have kids.

Don't forget the school workers that aren't teachers. In the school I teach at lots of administration staff are full time, only have the normal 5 weeks holiday like other local government staff and these holidays have to be taken in the school holidays. Speaking as a teacher they really get a rough deal. No long holidays and no cheap term time holidays either.

Tigsteroonie

fluffnutter wrote: »

So why aren't you doing the sensible thing and launching a case against the school for discrimination? If you genuinely believe you have a special case because your child is disabled, then the law will be on your side.

I did actually threaten this:

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

though it would be slightly tempting to let the situation go to court and try to fight the system on behalf of children with special educational needs.

The problem is, parents of children with SEN have to fight so much already to get the appropriate educational and medical support, that sometimes there just isn't the energy to fight other battles too.

Spendless

onlyroz wrote: »

If you have a genuine reason beyond cost and your doctor/social worker (or other official body) agrees with you then would that not come under "exceptional circumstances"?

Depends if your area has medical issues as an example of exceptional circumstances. Mine does, many don't, like this one.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10979015/Mother-of-terminally-ill-boy-fighting-fine-for-taking-son-on-last-holiday.html