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

RoxieW

I think it shouldn't be one rule for one, one for another. Either kids are allowed term time holidays or they're not. It seems that schools send this letters about exceptional circumstances, but when someone such as the op pleads poverty they get the holiday granted and get a better holiday for cheaper. Whereas the ones who respect the rules either pay through the nose or downgrade their holiday (sometimes to nothing!).
We're going camping in Spain this summer holidays. I planned well ahead and got low cost airline flights which means traveling in the middle of the night with little ones when obviously a daytime fight would have been better. Then we are camping which is also lowish cost.
It's not my idea of an ideal holiday. A friends of mine has pleaded poverty and is taking her kids away for two holidays, one the week before the end of the term and one the week after they start back. They're having 2 holidays for the price of our one camping.
Next year, I know what I'll be doing - stuffing the rules like everyone else as the only people being penalised are the ones who respect the system.

daphne_descends

So none of you would mind if a teacher (who also happened to be a parent) disappeared for two weeks in term time for their holiday, leaving your children with inadequate supply whilst they're away?

cazziebo

Can I throw something else into this debate? I have two children - older teenagers, one still in school.

I do not believe in taking children out of school for holidays. I think it teaches them that you can ignore obligations and responsibilities and devalues the educational experience.

I accept there is a wind down at the end of term. What I've noticed is that this wind down is increasing in recent years, and I am really annoyed that for the past two weeks my daughter has done very little school work but instead watched comedy videos in EVERY subject. She will be sitting Highers next year so this is an important time.

The schools can't have it both ways - forbid parents to take their kids out of school when they are not fulfilling their obligations in providing an education.

aimee21j

andyrules wrote: »

I doubt those trips amounted to 'nothing' for every child.;)

Exactly. A child I once took on a trip asked "what is that over there?" . It was a sheep

aimee21j

cazziebo wrote: »

Can I throw something else into this debate? I have two children - older teenagers, one still in school.

I do not believe in taking children out of school for holidays. I think it teaches them that you can ignore obligations and responsibilities and devalues the educational experience.

I accept there is a wind down at the end of term. What I've noticed is that this wind down is increasing in recent years, and I am really annoyed that for the past two weeks my daughter has done very little school work but instead watched comedy videos in EVERY subject. She will be sitting Highers next year so this is an important time.

The schools can't have it both ways - forbid parents to take their kids out of school when they are not fulfilling their obligations in providing an education.

Two weeks is an awfully long time. Maybe the last two days, but not weeks. I should phone the school and ask why as it is frowned upon in many schools.

td

I wholeheartedly agree - I work my kids up until my very last lessonof theyear withthem.

Andyrules - if you find youself in this position again - part time teachers do not have to go in on training days that aren't on their days - the school has to try to plan them as best they can to fit your days too and you onlyhave to do the percentage you work - eg if you work 60% you do 60% of the training.

td

gregg1

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Why does it make you laugh?

Or is it just that you think it's 'wrong'?

Many people these days have done some amount of travelling and anyone who has experienced other cultures knows that it is/can be true, so I'm not going to assume you don't believe it.

because lets face it - I would imagine that the vast majority of people who take their kids out of school for holidays go for the sea and sand/bucket and sand type of holiday.

But hey - when they start handing out GCSE's for building sandcastles I am sure A*'s will be achieved by all. No worries there then.

gregg1

andyrules wrote: »

I used to work part time, and I could guarantee that every single INSET day fell on the day I didn't work. Still had to attend the training, no extra pay, no lieu days, it's part of the contract. Probably not many realise that.;)

exactly, my school has started doing twilight inset sessions starting when school finishes till 8pm. Not paid for it but have no choice, I have to do it. You are right, I don't think people realise.

liney

If teaching is so dreadful, why are the newly trained teachers scrambling for the infrequent vacancies that come up, due to the our current working teachers not leaving the profession? I imagine that many skills are transferable to other professions, including social services so one could still be involved with youngsters.

Teachers get targeted for riducule because the profession as a whole seems to be constantly complaining about it's poor working conditions, yet fails to accept they are much better off than many, many others. They know this, or they would vote with their feet, but still expect our sympathy for the sterling job they do.

poet123

Teaching vacancies are not few and far between just generally advertised at particular times of year. I regularly interview for a primary school and believe me the number applying for vacancies has dropped significantly in recent years. Also if people were crying out tp become teachers why does the Govt offer Golden Hellos for new recruits to teaching?:rolleyes: .....perhaps because there is a shortage?

I do believe that there are a lot of misconceptions about teaching,and that the long school holidays blinds people to the other issues. It is a good job,but so are many others and they carry with them more respect,perks etc that are not common in teaching. Oh, and then there is the downside of having to have term time holidays:rotfl: