Religious Trips and Time off from school

Moto2

Oh look, a p***ing contest

pendragon_arther

callum9999 wrote: »

Boarding school aside, I can't accept that 3 weeks with loving family is "traumatic" for the average 5/6 year old. For some, yes. For a significant number? I don't see it.

Unless you're just being hyperbolic? Because emotional damage and trauma is very different to being upset because you miss your parents.

The comparison of boarding schools was brought up by you.

I didn't say it would emotionally affect every child I merely pointed out what happened to me. Of course there were other extenuating circumstances and this was back in the 50s. I only mentioned my experience to hopefully shed some light on your possible lack of depreciation of the matter.

blindman wrote: »

Bless :cool:

Thanks for your patronisation, matey. But now I'm grown up and having lived in Kenya where I taught our second-born son how to make petrol bombs because in the 'troubles' there was talk of burning our house down and having lived in the Philippines where there are also very dangerous situations I can thankfully look back on my youth in a different light.

GwylimT

blindman wrote: »

I was trying to point out that this reasonably educated English speaking person has only ever heard the word Hyperbolic in maths at school.

Which IMHO is where it belongs, and not on a forum where its use-to me- seems to be belittlng someone whose first language is not English.

I've heard and used it lots of times in my life, English is my third language. I use hyperbole quite regularly. Whether a persons firsr language is English or Klingon, it should have no effect on the quality of someones vocabulary.

silvercar

starM wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far. My younger child will be fine with the aunt I am pretty sure.

I was reading through Education Act 1996 which states:-

(3)The child shall not be taken to have failed to attend regularly at the school by reason of his absence from the school—
(a)with leave,
(b)at any time when he was prevented from attending by reason of sickness or any unavoidable cause, or
(c)on any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which his parent belongs.

(c) means that the powers that be in the relevant religion have to have stated that members of the faith shouldn't do their regular work/ study on that day and observe their religion instead. It isn't enough that it is a time for pilgrimage for those that wish. If faith followers not pilgrimaging (is that a word?) at that time are allowed by their religion to continue to work. The key word is "exclusively". I don't know enough of your religion to know if the requirements of those not on a pilgrimage are expected to spend the days you require school leave in prayer or to go about their normal business.

SW17

It will be hard for anyone who doesn't have knowledge/experience of how this is handled in the Birmingham area to give an exact answer to the OP's question since the application of policy and granting of exceptions varies from area to area (and sometimes from school to school) in the UK.

However, given the size of the Muslim community in Birmingham, it would surprise me if this was a new situation for the local educational authorities (depending exactly where you live of course, I'm not an expert on all the local demographics). Enquire with the school on their policy, or if not comfortable doing that, perhaps ask other parents at the school or in the area.

alanrowell

If you *MUST* do in in 2016 then leave the children behind. As others have pointed out in a couple of years time the Hajj will be in the school holidays

Though I wouldn't have thought taking young children to the Hajj was the greatest of ideas at the best of times. Surely it's something for adults to do of their own volition?

callum9999

blindman wrote: »

I was trying to point out that this reasonably educated English speaking person has only ever heard the word Hyperbolic in maths at school.

Which IMHO is where it belongs, and not on a forum where its use-to me- seems to be belittlng someone whose first language is not English.

How on Earth was it used to "belittle someone whose first language is not English"? I'm getting sick to death of the shocking lack of English comprehension that's shown on this board.

It's an English word and was used exactly how it's meant to - to describe an exaggeration. Nor is Pendragon_arthers first language anything other than English that I'm aware of.

theonlywayisup

callum9999 wrote: »

Perhaps it would have been if English was your first language, everyone else seemed to understand it. Usually when people misinterpret something and I look back at my post I can see where the confusion came from, in this case it still seems incredibly obvious!

No, I think perhaps because my English is very sharp, the grammar didn't do your comment justice.

Perhaps have a look at when to use exclamation marks.....

callum9999

theonlywayisup wrote: »

No, I think perhaps because my English is very sharp, the grammar didn't do your comment justice.

Perhaps have a look at when to use exclamation marks.....

Grow up. And if you're going to critique grammar then I suggest you use correct grammar yourself. An ellipsis doesn't have five periods.

starM

I couldn't find anything on our school website relating to religious holidays. It only mention 2 weeks in exceptional circumstances.

I have been searching around and found something on http://www.thevalley.bolton.sch.uk/index.php/key-info/19-holiday-leave

which states:-

Hajj – the school judges Hajj to be a once in a lifetime event. Parents may wish to consider the nature of Hajj and whether it is suitable for children of a primary age. A request for Hajj may result in permission being granted in excess of 10 days but never more than 20 days. Once approval has been granted documentary evidence, such as plane tickets and accommodation details will need to be presented to show that Hajj is being observed. This will be classed as extended leave within the keystage and once granted cannot be requested again.

I would have thought all schools follow similar policies.