Would you allow your child to skip school for some cheaper summer sunshine?

flimsier

humptydumptybits wrote: »

I always think it is funny that schools can arrange a trip to EuroDisney (or skiing/rugby tour or any other reason) and kids miss school for a week and it is OK but if mum and dad do it then it is a big problem. If schools want parents to take the rule seriously they need to follow it themselves.

I think schools that do this are wrong.

But it's also not the same. The kids on the trip aren't missing the planned curriculum, or it's been planned round the absence. If you miss the planned curriculum and future learning is inaccessible because the pupil missed something crucial, then the effect is cumulative and can be catastrophic - particularly for the more disadvantaged pupils who may require what they receive from school so much more.

maman

flimsier wrote: »

I think schools that do this are wrong.

But it's also not the same. The kids on the trip aren't missing the planned curriculum, or it's been planned round the absence. If you miss the planned curriculum and future learning is inaccessible because the pupil missed something crucial, then the effect is cumulative and can be catastrophic - particularly for the more disadvantaged pupils who may require what they receive from school so much more.

I agree.

I've not heard of a school doing a visit to EuroDisney but I supposed it must happen somewhere.

Most of the visits that I'm aware of are curriculum based in that they're historical or sporting or cultural. What they offer most of all though is the opportunity to go away without the family and grow socially. With younger children they often experience home sickness for the first time. It's all about growing up.

pollypenny

maman wrote: »

I agree.

I've not heard of a school doing a visit to EuroDisney but I supposed it must happen somewhere.

Most of the visits that I'm aware of are curriculum based in that they're historical or sporting or cultural. What they offer most of all though is the opportunity to go away without the family and grow socially. With younger children they often experience home sickness for the first time. It's all about growing up.

My old school used to do a French trip for Y8, including EuroDisney.

However, it was at half term, escorted by teachers who had given up their time.

maman

pollypenny wrote: »

My old school used to do a French trip for Y8, including EuroDisney.

However, it was at half term, escorted by teachers who had given up their time.

Thanks for that. As I was typing I wondered if it was a day trip as part of something else.

Sometimes, it can be cheaper to take a large group like that than for a family to visit and the children love going with their mates. That's not something a family can easily replicate.

humptydumptybits

maman wrote: »

I agree.

I've not heard of a school doing a visit to EuroDisney but I supposed it must happen somewhere.

Most of the visits that I'm aware of are curriculum based in that they're historical or sporting or cultural. What they offer most of all though is the opportunity to go away without the family and grow socially. With younger children they often experience home sickness for the first time. It's all about growing up.

They did one at school where my DD teaches, at my sons school that did a two week skiing trip to Colorado, admittedly one week was half term. As you can imagine that one cost a small fortune and only a relatively small number of kids in years 9 and 10 went so most of the year were in school working, I don't know what happened about the lessons the skiing kids missed.


At my two youngest kids primary school most of the year 6 kids went to France for a week. About 90% of the class went, I always felt sorry for the 3 or 4 kids who didn't go, they just spent the week with the year 5 class. At the school my older two went to they did a weekend camp out in the school hall, the cost was fish and chips on the Friday night, every child did it and it had all the benefits of being away from home, then later in the year they did a weekend in a hostel about 20 miles away, again cheap enough that everyone went, some families probably still struggled but I imagine as it was so cheap the school covered it but I never actually asked. I always liked how inclusive it was.


I remember my DD being offered a choice between Russia and Peru with the cost well into 4 figures. Definitely not inclusive.

alwaysskint96

maman wrote: »

Sometimes, it can be cheaper to take a large group like that than for a family to visit and the children love going with their mates. That's not something a family can easily replicate.

Hmm my daughter was offered 4 days in New York . They were to stay in a hostel and visit few of the places we had already been the year before- for this they wanted 2k plus spending money( 10 years ago) I had got a good deal and we had flight and accomodation for four of us for a week for just under £1100. So that definately was not cheaper

humptydumptybits

alwaysskint96 wrote: »

Hmm my daughter was offered 4 days in New York . They were to stay in a hostel and visit few of the places we had already been the year before- for this they wanted 2k plus spending money( 10 years ago) I had got a good deal and we had flight and accomodation for four of us for a week for just under £1100. So that definately was not cheaper

Did anyone go? I think the Peru trip my DD was offered was £3,600. I've never paid that much for a family holiday in my life and the answer was no. She thought it was too much but one of her best friends did go. She had lots of foreign holidays with her family and had been all over the world so I dont think visiting Peru particularly added anything to her life but her family could comfortably afford it.

pollypenny

alwaysskint96 wrote: »

Hmm my daughter was offered 4 days in New York . They were to stay in a hostel and visit few of the places we had already been the year before- for this they wanted 2k plus spending money( 10 years ago) I had got a good deal and we had flight and accomodation for four of us for a week for just under £1100. So that definately was not cheaper

That is expensive, but it will have included admission fees to the various places, transport around New York and food, of course.

Spending money would have been for pupils to buy drinks and souvenirs.

alwaysskint96

humptydumptybits wrote: »

Did anyone go? I think the Peru trip my DD was offered was £3,600. I've never paid that much for a family holiday in my life and the answer was no. She thought it was too much but one of her best friends did go. She had lots of foreign holidays with her family and had been all over the world so I dont think visiting Peru particularly added anything to her life but her family could comfortably afford it.

Yes quite a few . Obviously their families had more money than we did.She didnt really care TBH

alwaysskint96

pollypenny wrote: »

That is expensive, but it will have included admission fees to the various places, transport around New York and food, of course.

Spending money would have been for pupils to buy drinks and souvenirs.

They had to take money for lunch Apparently food provided breakfast and dinner. Just looked at next March- flights at £261 direct and hostel bed for 4 nights is £150 4 day New York Pass is $169 which covers most entrance fees and $33 for a weeks travel pass. Still nowhere near the £2k base fare lol