Ok it's just a moan, but really... school holidays

brightonman123

why not write yourself a letter (headed paper?) and put a squiggle for signature..

or claim something along the lines of visiting distant relatives, only xyz dates available due to their jobs etc.. so long as class work isnt affected. cant see why the schools get so uppy about this..

CB1979_2

simple answer is..... fuk em!

you're not gonna get arrested or any damage done.

i used to go abroad for 2 weeks every Feb & October Half terms, school wasn't particularly happy about it (granted this was 15-18 years ago though!), however i used to catch up on my school work and not disrupt the teaching plan when i went back.

I'd explain your situation and just say "I appreciate the school doesn't want it happening, but that is what's happening" ie like it or lump it

JimmyTheWig

Explain, maybe in writing with the facts and figures, that the only way you will be able to have a holiday is in term time. That no matter what you do you cannot afford any sort of holiday in the school holidays.

That is a completely different scenario to a family who want to go abroad in term time because if they went in the school holidays they could only afford to stay in the UK.


Our primary school authorises up to one week absence a year.

choccyface2006

I applied to take my daughter out of school for a trip abroad a few weeks ago. I was lucky that they agreed to it, I had to take her out for three days as they were off school the week before.

I told them that it was a holiday with close family and that we could only go away on certain dates. I have never asked for time off for her before and she has an exceptional attendance record. I avoided sats/mock sats and said I would not make it a regular thing.

I probably would have been given the leave without an explanation but I didn't want the school to think I took it lightly.

I think if you approach the school now with everything you have written here they may grant you the time off. Good luck.

Sarah x

Allycat

Almost_Redundant wrote: »

I think if you present your case to the school as well as you have done on here, you won't have a problem getting the time.

We took our son on an out of season trip of a lifetime to Africa for three weeks. The school was against it but ultimately could do nothing about it. My son gained far more in those three weeks than he would have done had he stayed at school discussing the latest fashions, hairstyles, pop bands etc.!!

If the councils are that bothered about kids missing out on education they should bring teachers in for a couple of weeks during the long summer holiday to help the kids that have missed out to catch up - after all they are still getting paid.

I would happily come in and teach the kids who missed out for their holiday if it would mean I could take two weeks during term time for my family holiday!! I can't afford a holiday in school holidays either and as a teacher do not have the opportunity to take my children out of school!!

Saying that I support any parent who genuinly (sp) cannot afford to take a holiday during the school holidays to take their children during the term. A holiday whether it is a foriegn holiday, a trip of a lifetime or a week in Blackpool is still vital time for hardworking families to spend together. Something all children benfit from.

Rikki

I wonder what would happen if teachers decide to take their holidays in term time because it was cheaper?

Allycat

We would be sacked!!!:eek:

kizzykizzywizzy

My children's school has just brought in that you can only have 1 weeks authorised absence too. They have actually only had half a day off last year & my DD had 2 days off the previous year, as DS was still at preschool and no days off at all this year. Our last holiday was 2005 which we took before DD started school so as not to disrupt her in her 1st year.
I feel as my children have a very good attendance record, that if I decide I want to take them on a 3 week holiday every 3 or 4 years in term time, I should be allowed, obviously I would try & avoid any tests etc. I wouldn't do this every year - as pretty unlikely I'd be able to afford it even out of term time. !!
I have managed to book a cheap 1 week holiday abroad this year by shopping around & we are going in August school holidays:T BUT had it not been so cheap, we wouldn't be going anywhere & I remember my holidays when I was a child with great fondness & as some of said they can be very educational, also, with life as busy as it seems to be these days, I think quality time alone with your children is priceless ( shame most of us can still not afford it :rolleyes: )
Our school hasn't said what they'd do if you did take time off, but a fine would probably still be cheaper

starbump

Tran wrote: »

Sadly what choice do you really have (other than not have a holiday which is a tough choice).

I'm sorry the OP is having problems arranging their vacation. However, not having a vacation is an easy choice if you cannot afford one. A yearly vacation is not a right and many, many people manage without one.

elisebutt65

I didn't actually go on holiday with my parents until I was 17 as we couldn't afford foreign holidays!!!

What I do now is just book 1 or 2 days before the holidays start and save hundreds doing this and the kids only miss the last few days of term when all they seem to do is play games and watch videos anyway.

My kids still have 97% attendance this year and have still had a cheap holiday.

A foreign holiday isn't a right anyway - what's wrong with a few days in a tent somewhere - my kids love camping(even if I hate it) as they think it's a great adventure. The eldest(13) thinks nothing of setting snares for bunnies and then watching me try to cook the darned thing!!! Just go up into the Rhayader Valley with a couple of tents and backpacks and leave the car somewhere safe - Don't forget compass and map and away you go!