Holiday in school time - what to tell school

full-time-mum

meester wrote: »

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?

These rules apply to state schools too. The head of (state) school is given the flexibility to authorise up to 10 days term time holiday. There is a growing trend to treat these 10 days as a right in the same way as annual holiday from your employment. I heard one parent say we've only used 5 of our 10 days so we are going to book another week. This is not what it is about. The rule is to allow parents to holiday when for example, the only possible time is during term-time (I don't know, maybe one of the parents in the forces and can only get leave on a specific week between tours of duty) or perhaps for a family funeral etc.

Remember that when you take your child out of school, it affects not only their education but can have an impact on their social circle with cliques forming whilst child is out of the classroom. It also disrupts the rest of the class who may have been working in groups or the absent child returns and is then behind and needs extra attention from the teacher.

I also don't understand why you would pay for private education and then not take it up in its entirety.

If your child is in reception, you may find that you have trouble settling them again when you return.

I have always said that I would never take my children out of school but have to say that it can be quite gaulling when you book your holiday for the expensive weeks and then the last week of term is spent watching DVDs whilst the staff clear up and prepare for next years intake!

I'm afraid that you are just going to have to write and ask for the days and hope that they are recorded as authorised absenses. If you don't want unnecessary fuss, then don't book term-time holidays without good reason.

izoomzoom

I have skimmed through some of the replies, but not all of them.

Whilst DS1 was in Y1, we went overseas to see family for three weeks. I appreciate that this may have been 'exceptional circumstances' but I was very keen for DS to carry on as usual, and between his teacher and I, we came up that he would write a diary for everyday that he was on holiday (just one sentence), and we had about 6 books, that we read over this time too.

I believe his disruption was minimised as much as possible.

We haven't taken the children out of school since then, but if we could afford to go and see our family again, we would - and unfortunately it would encrouch onto school time too, as travelling all that distance for a week or two, is just not worth it.

I am sure if you approach the head in a truthful manner, and offer to do all you can to encourage your child's edcuation whilst on holiday, they can't be so mean. Also, promise not to do it again (if possible) !

Mumstheword

I'd be honest and say it was a mistake which won't happen again, and throw yourself at their mercy to agree without holding it against you in future.

A week away won't affect your son. But if they learn something he needs to know for future learning, then a teacher will have to spend time alone teaching him. Unless you offer to teach him whatever he will miss, in advance of his return to school. I too pay for my oldest's school, and wouldnt be at all impressed if he said the class were given something to do whilst teacher spent time with a child who'd been off on holiday.

Thank you for your honesty - you got a cheap price and forgot to consider term times.

Agree with others who are genuinely not allowed time off in the hols - i would see that as exceptional circumstances. But i wouldnt be taking a whole week out just because of it. If your choice of job or school are not compatible then either change one of them or have a few years of only taking weekends away! You dont have to go abroad every year, it's not a right that we have.

At our introductory evening the headmaster talked about term time holidays. His message was dont ask, the answer is no. If anyone had exceptional circumstances (maybe a funeral or wedding requiring a few days out) I'm sure he would treat that compassionately

debbiedeejay

Be honest with them and tell them now-well in advance.

Quiet a few years back I had to do the same thing - the reason being that at that time I worked in the leisure/tourist industry myself and could not take normal school holidays off as that was our peak time,so to have a family holiday I had to take my DD's out of school for the week- and I told the Head probably about 6 months before we went!

As long as you don't carry on booking other family hols in term time and its just a one-off I doubt they will do any thing-remember you're paying your DS fees- You'll probably end up being sent to the Heads office and having to write 1000 lines of "I must not book holidays in term time"instead!

Hapless_2

It's more than just armed forces that have no say over holidays. When OH worked on the buses he was given his holiday dates and that was it. No changes unless organised between him and another driver, which was hard as most of the drivers had children themselves.

tulketh

The recent crack down on holidays in school time has come about because Blair set a target to reduce school absence by 8% by 2008. Lots of money was thrown at this task but the target is not going to be met. The real problem with school attendance is not 5 days off in year 1 but persistent absence ie 1/2 days off per week.
The message however you are sending to your child about 5 days holiday in school time is that you think its ok to take days off school. that may come back to haunt you when they are older.
The OP says her parents took her out of school every September hence we have it passed on from generatin to generation that its ok to miss school.
I was never allowed to miss school and now never take a sickie from work. Think about the values being instilled in your children then make your choices.
as a person involved in education there is a down time in schools in the last few days befor the end of term..take them out then but only if you have to, the school wont like it though as it affects their attendance figures which have to be reported to the DFCS

silvercar

Just be honest, tell the school it was an error and that it won't happen again but as he is only 5 you are going ahead with the holiday.

If you really don't do it again, it is not going to teach bad habits to your child.

All this talk of authorised and unauthorised absences and reporting figures to the government doesn't apply to private schools.

pinkshoes

At 5 years old I would have been really upset if my parents took me out of school for a week!! I'd miss all the fun and would have worried that my friends would forget me! It was bad enough having to take a couple of days off sick!

I suppose if it's an educational holiday then it wouldn't be SO bad i.e. cultural visits, make child speak another language and keep a journal to present to his classmates... but if it's a beach holiday in a chavvy resort then i'm not sure the school will be too impressed! I guess it just depends where your priorities lie, and whether keeping on good terms with your childs school is important to you.

Can't you just change the date of the holiday? If you can afford a private school, why on earth would you take your child out of school just to save a few quid on flights??

TITEASCRAMP

Can't you just change the date of the holiday? If you can afford a private school, why on earth would you take your child out of school just to save a few quid on flights??[/quote]


LOL

sooz

Can I just say, in defense of the OP, that when your first child starts school, it is really hard to remember that you can never take an unplanned holiday again!

Several years down the line, I'm sure it becomes second nature, but I keep being sent lovely offers, and seeing some on the travel board....and get very tempted. It's only when I get out the calendar that I realise we can't go :mad:

I'll never be able to go on a 1p Ryanair flight again...well not atleast until they have left school, or I can trust them to stay home alone (hmmm, 2 boys, empty house, full drinks cabinet....NEVER)