Booking a holiday in term time ?

Jagraf

surreysaver wrote: »

Also a good lesson in standing up for yourself, and protecting individual rights. And standing up to the establishment and questioning what they dictate. Do people get criminal records for this as well? No one seems to mention the consequences of that - they're just worried about the money!

I don't think a parent taking a child out of school when they have a right to that free education is a good lesson in protecting individual rights. In fact its taking away a child's rights. Isn't it?

Mojisola

surreysaver wrote: »

You do not relinquish parental rights for the hours which you send your child(ren)to school.

You agree that the teachers are acting in your place - in loco parentis.

By taking up the school place, you agree to follow the school rules and one of the main ones is for your child to attend school when he/she should.

Shelldean

Some schools are very strict.

I have four children eldest is 22 youngest is 16 and in his gcse yr.
So he will finish school early this summer. He finishes after his last exam.
So for the first time in 18yrs I've looked at a 'term time's holiday.
As even going late June or early July I can still save a considerable amount.", although the earlier you go the more you save.

I'd like to go as early as possible to get maximum savings and to ensure I don't accidentally book it too early and clash with one of his final exams, I've been liaising with the school. Only to be told that even if I book in July (when there has NEVER a gcse exam) that I would still need to formally request the schools permission, as he will still technically still be on their registers.

Mojisola

surreysaver wrote: »

Also a good lesson in standing up for yourself, and protecting individual rights. And standing up to the establishment and questioning what they dictate.

Do people get criminal records for this as well? No one seems to mention the consequences of that - they're just worried about the money!

They can do if they don't pay the fines.

surreysaver

Mojisola wrote: »

You agree that the teachers are acting in your place - in loco parentis.

By taking up the school place, you agree to follow the school rules and one of the main ones is for your child to attend school when he/she should.

They are acting in loco parentis. That does not go as far as having parental rights.

surreysaver

Jagraf wrote: »

I don't think a parent taking a child out of school when they have a right to that free education is a good lesson in protecting individual rights. In fact its taking away a child's rights. Isn't it?

But it is a parent's perogative to do that, and make those decisions. If a headteacher has an issue with a particular parent's decisions, they should have the flexibility to discuss that with the parent, rather than take rigid legal action.

But as I say, there are ways for headteachers to get around it.

Mojisola

Mojisola wrote: »

When you decide to send your child to school, you agree to the school having responsibility for them during those hours and you agree to sending them whenever the school is open, not just when you want them to go.

surreysaver wrote: »

They are acting in loco parentis. That does not go as far as having parental rights.

We seem to agree.

atolaas

I think that the point is being missed here. The whole reason for taking a child out of school in term time is to go on holiday is the cost of going on holiday during school holidays. The blame lies with the holiday industry and not the schools. Its easier to punish the parents for breaking the rules rather than regulating an industry that takes advantage of the fact that families with children of school going age can (in theory) only go on holiday at fixed times during the year. *Takes a breath*

marleyboy

I imagine out of term time holidays are not just about the costs. It can be near impossible for all working parents to book the same holiday dates as the children get. Thats a very small window for a whole workforce.

Spendless

fluffnutter wrote: »

I'm not sure they're working too well either. All it seems to do is get people's backs up - that's hardly conducive to a good school/parent relationship. But there IS a problem, clearly, and I wonder how best to tackle it. What's at the heart of it? Are people simply deciding that school attendance is optional? Are people so sick of hiked holiday prices that they're ignoring schools' pleas to keep holidays to the holidays? Are people's expectations such that a good bargain is more important than risking the school's ire? Is it a case of 'it's my kid, I'll do what I damn well like'? Are the fines simply to try to alleviate another problem - that of persistent absence - and they're unfortunately making almost-criminals of many perfectly caring and conscientious parents?

Find out what's at the heart of this and you'll be half way to a solution.

What's a tthe heart of it is a change in the law in Sept 13, taking away the discretionary power of a HT to grant upto 10 days term-time hol and instead the law only now allows term-time hols in 'exceptional circs'. As the Government hasn't clearly stated what this means, each LA has decided on their own and they vary area to area.

My area for example, has as 'exceptional circs'
A parent in the armed forces returning from or about to embark on a tour of duty abrod

Where your employer does not allow for a family holiday in school hols (written proof required)

Where a holiday is recommended by a health professional from a physical or emotional upheaveal (written proof required)

Meanwhile another area might not have the health issue as exceptional circs but have 'to attend a family wedding' whereas mine doesn't.

Others don't include the work exceptional circs, so organisations such as the police in that area have asked for it to be included, as obviously they can't be down the majority of their officers in certain week.