Holiday in school time - what to tell school

meester

DS has just started at posh private school (aged 5). According to school you need to write to headteacher for permission to take time off in school time, which will only be given in "exceptional circumstances".

I've just booked 1 week's holiday for next year, in school time, and am wondering what to say to them (we're going either way, but don't want to cause any unnecessary fuss).

Any suggestions?

loftus

Sorry - this may sound harsh, but you're spending a lot of money (presumably) on a private education for your son, you knew the rules when you decided to send him there, but now you want excuses to flout them.

Makes no sense at all.

andyrules

Why are you wanting to take your holiday in term time? Is it 'exceptional circumstances'?

Lady_E

The truth !

conradmum

The previous two posts may seem harsh, but I would have thought that private schools are even more strict about this. Their results are a part of the 'image' that they sell to prospective parents. Time off means worse results. Worse results mean fewer children sent to the school, which means less money etc. etc.
My sons go to a great (state) school and it was made clear to us at their open evenings that sending your children meant you signed up to the fact that you COULD NOT take them out of school during term time, and that if we didn't agree, don't send your children to the school!
Sorry, I can't offer much advice. Lying to the school (for example, saying it's to visit an ill relative in another country) will soon be found out as your son's only 5 and won't be able to keep up the lie - not that I'm encouraging this at all!
I now have three children at school and one thing I've found is that, for the sake of your children's happiness and education, it's important to build and maintain a good relationship with their teachers and the school.

robnye

sorry but you are on a slippery slope.........
as mentioned, if you knew you where going to book the holiday in term time, why send your child to private school?

you will probably find that the school isnt very sympathetic towards you

nearlyrich

I feel the same as other posters, why pay expensive fees for a private school and save a few quid by taking the child away in term time? Unless one of the parents has holidays that don't fit with school holidays I can't see a reason to book outside the extensive holidays that schools get and private schools tend to get even more days either side of the state schools in my experience.

hellies

The fact of the matter is that the op has already booked the holiday so needs some advice on how to get him out of the school in way that doesnt upset things too much. I dont have any advice, I would be too scared to lie as your son is only 5 and could very easily drop you in it, and would be pretty unfair on him to try to get him to keep up the lie, thats a lot of pressure for a 5 year old! How do you think the school would react if you were to ask nicely for him to have time off, explaining that you have to visit a relative abroad for some reason?

seven-day-weekend

And are the circumstances exceptional enough that the thirteen weeks school holidays are not sufficient for you to take a week's holiday?

If I was the head of this school I would mark your child down as an unauthorised absence.

Some people would respond differently, you'll have to just see what the head says when you explain why you need to have the holiday in term time.

looneyleo

Well, I can't really believe some of the responses above. Some people do not have any choice when they are able to take holidays...nothing to do with cost of holidays etc. We apply for annual leave in school holiday time. My OH works for the government, has to apply for holidays TWO years in advance and gets what he is given. If that falls out of school holidays, well that's it. There is no way I am denying my children a family holiday with all the esential life skills that can be learnt on a holiday because the education system dictates when and how we can take our holidays. Do not feel guilty. Write a letter explaining the real reason as to why you are taking your son on holiday and let the school get on with it. Better they know the truth in advance and can plan around you son's absense. These days, any family time together is very precious and don't be bullied out of it.

JennyW_2

Al_Mac wrote: »

I think your husband needs to discuss work life balance with his employer

not always an option! My husband is in the Navy - we cant choose when we go on holiday. We don't have kids so it's not a problem but the time off given to my husband is scheduled into a rota and not scheduled to requests! We don't know from one year to the next, may be a week in August, week in December, who knows......

Back to the OP's question. I think honesty is the best policy here and suffer the consequences (if there are any).