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Discuss: Holidays during term time
9:33am Monday 14th July 2008
Comments (62)
By Simon Bull »
WITH some parents now being fined for doing it, what do you think about kids being taken out of school during term time?
Fines of £50 have been issued in some areas to parents who take their children out of school for unauthorised holidays.
The cost of going away rockets as soon as schools break up, which is why many parents are tempted into booking holidays during term time when they can afford it.
School bosses argue that taking family holidays during term time can affect children's learning and also disrupt school routines.
Is the cost of holidays peaking during school holidays a case of simple capitalism or are families being ripped off by travel companies?
Should parents be given more freedom to decide the best time to take their children on holiday?
Should schools be more supportive of children experiencing different places, cultures and languages?
Should parents being given a certain number of family days each school year?
What do you think? Add your comments below.
Your Say YourShopper
Harry Brown, Bromley says...
10:24am Mon 14 Jul 08
As a parent of two young kids myself, I think it should be up to parents and NOT schools to decide the most suitable time for taking children on holiday.
Obviously I would not condone a child being taken out of school during an important time such as exams, but at other times parents should be free to decide what is best for their own kids, free from the jobsworth shackles of school bureaucracy.
My children gain far more from going to a foreign country for a week than they do from sitting in a stuffy classroom having their learning stunted by a teacher who struggles to grasp the basics of the subject they are teaching and being distracted by unruly kids whose parents haven't bothered teaching any manners to.
Obviously I would not condone a child being taken out of school during an important time such as exams, but at other times parents should be free to decide what is best for their own kids, free from the jobsworth shackles of school bureaucracy.
My children gain far more from going to a foreign country for a week than they do from sitting in a stuffy classroom having their learning stunted by a teacher who struggles to grasp the basics of the subject they are teaching and being distracted by unruly kids whose parents haven't bothered teaching any manners to.
Mother, Bromley says...
10:25am Mon 14 Jul 08
Jo, just to warn you exactly the same thing happened to a friend of mine - she put all the forms in and kept asking them but didn't get any response - and they fined her. Pretty snidey way of carrying on if you ask me.
I think if the schools / government are going to forbid holidays during term time they must also leislate that the holiday companies & airlines are not allowed to hike the prices up like they do when we are allowed to go away.
We have access to a free villa abroad whenever we want, so its just the air fare to pay. During term time it would be less than £300 for our family. This increases to about £1200+ in school holiday time. Consequently we haven't had a holiday this year as my childrens schools just won't allow even a week off in term time and we can't afford it.
No very fair at all.
I think if the schools / government are going to forbid holidays during term time they must also leislate that the holiday companies & airlines are not allowed to hike the prices up like they do when we are allowed to go away.
We have access to a free villa abroad whenever we want, so its just the air fare to pay. During term time it would be less than £300 for our family. This increases to about £1200+ in school holiday time. Consequently we haven't had a holiday this year as my childrens schools just won't allow even a week off in term time and we can't afford it.
No very fair at all.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
10:48am Mon 14 Jul 08
There can be no excuse for disrupting a child's education just because selfish parents do not want to pay higher prices for holidays during term time.
Social services should investigate such cases and decide whether it might be best to put the children in foster homes run by responsible adults who value education over a week in Disney World.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Social services should investigate such cases and decide whether it might be best to put the children in foster homes run by responsible adults who value education over a week in Disney World.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Mandy, bexleyheath says...
10:50am Mon 14 Jul 08
Maybe if the tour companys were not allowed to charge such ridiculous prices during July and August this would not be a problem.
We have 3 children and have never took them out of school - When you are a family of 5 it is hard to get booked up - so have to do it a year in advance
We have 3 children and have never took them out of school - When you are a family of 5 it is hard to get booked up - so have to do it a year in advance
Gemma, Belvedere says...
10:58am Mon 14 Jul 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:Well said!
There can be no excuse for disrupting a child's education just because selfish parents do not want to pay higher prices for holidays during term time. Social services should investigate such cases and decide whether it might be best to put the children in foster homes run by responsible adults who value education over a week in Disney World. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
J, Here says...
11:11am Mon 14 Jul 08
I agree with Erastus, to a point. I don't agree with taking children out of school to go to places like Disney. But at the same time I don't think it should be up to anyone but the parents.
This year, however, I will be taking my child out of school for just over a week so we can fly to the US and spend some time with her grandparents.
We've planned it so that for most of the time we're gone the school will be closed anyway (over Christmas/New Year), but she will miss a few days either side of the break.
I figure, and I'm sure it's stupid, but the week leading up to Christmas and the week following break, the kids aren't going to learn anything, they'll be too excited. I also feel that she'll atleast be learning something while we're there. She'll be learning about the American side of her history.
I will have to write a letter to the school begging to be allowed to take her out of school for a few days. It's been decided that if they say no, then too bad, we're going anyway. It's important that my child be able to see her grandparents and get a taste of another culture.
This year, however, I will be taking my child out of school for just over a week so we can fly to the US and spend some time with her grandparents.
We've planned it so that for most of the time we're gone the school will be closed anyway (over Christmas/New Year), but she will miss a few days either side of the break.
I figure, and I'm sure it's stupid, but the week leading up to Christmas and the week following break, the kids aren't going to learn anything, they'll be too excited. I also feel that she'll atleast be learning something while we're there. She'll be learning about the American side of her history.
I will have to write a letter to the school begging to be allowed to take her out of school for a few days. It's been decided that if they say no, then too bad, we're going anyway. It's important that my child be able to see her grandparents and get a taste of another culture.
The Real Me, Here says...
11:25am Mon 14 Jul 08
Rather than get fined cant you just say the kid is sick...? If they ask for a doctors certificate or something like that just keep fobbing them off until they forget...
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Me, here says...
11:35am Mon 14 Jul 08
I don't beleive in the comment 'there is no excuse for disrupting a childs education' - the comments should be aimed at greedy tour operators.They don't just put the price up by a small amount, sometimes it more than doubles.A lot of people save all year for a family holiday so that they can spend some quality time with their children.I have taken my children out in the past and would not hesitate to do it again if the price difference was double.If they were they taking GCSE's or starting senior school and wouldn't take them on holiday but otherwise it wouldn't bother me if it was in term time.And as for a £50.00 fine - its far cheaper to pay that than the tour operators price's.I agree with harry Brown my children gain far more out of a foreign holiday than they do sitting in the classroom,its good for them to interact with other cultures and learn about different countries.I for one do not feel one a bit of guilt bout taking my kids on holiday in term time and i will continue to do so for as long as it suits us - fine ot no fine
JayK, says...
11:39am Mon 14 Jul 08
Schools are allowed to authorise you up to 10 days leave for your child per school year. I have never had any problems getting leave authorised. We normally book our holidays a few days before the end of term.
C, Dartford says...
12:30pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Children should attend school during term time. It's as simple as that.
teresa pearce, bexley says...
12:35pm Mon 14 Jul 08
What about parents who are also teachers? They can not take their children on holiday during term term even if they are willing to pay a fine. It must also be difficult for teachers who are nt parents to afford the increased prices during holiday time and then they can only go away when the holiday resorts are full of children, the one thing you would imagine they would want to avoid when they are nt at work!
pumpkinpie26, bexley says...
1:05pm Mon 14 Jul 08
When I was in the first year of my a levels my mum and dad organised me a trip to Cyprus. One as a well done for passing my exams but more so to cheer me up somewhat as just before my first exam I lost my nan. My school only agreed because I was suffering bereavement but I think my mum would have let me go anyway. Didn't do me any harm, I passed my A levels, didn't go to uni, didn't want to and now work in the city!
pumpkinpie26, Bexley says...
1:09pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Meant to put this in my other post but I disagree with the price hikes too. My partner and I don't have children but if we wanted to go away any time between june and august we would have been paying three times as much so we have had to settle with going away at the end of september. It doesn't just affect families, although they obviously feel it the most.
Lynne, says...
1:09pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Why do people feel the need to have holidays every year that require fancy places and expensive tour operators? hat is wrong with holidays in this country -lots to see and do and bet no one has been to all the historical sites in UK.
JayK you need to check your facts -schools are not "allowed" to authorise anything! This edict has come from DCFS and schools will get their knuckles rapped over what will be down as pupil absences.
Harry Brown if thats your attitude to the school your children are in I hope you have spoken to the relevant people (HT, Governors) re your concerns about the teachers? If not then you have no excuse!
Of course education is affected by days off for whatever reason
JayK you need to check your facts -schools are not "allowed" to authorise anything! This edict has come from DCFS and schools will get their knuckles rapped over what will be down as pupil absences.
Harry Brown if thats your attitude to the school your children are in I hope you have spoken to the relevant people (HT, Governors) re your concerns about the teachers? If not then you have no excuse!
Of course education is affected by days off for whatever reason
Jon, Blackfen says...
1:16pm Mon 14 Jul 08
I work in a office where only 2 people can have time off together. As there are 14 of us with children the simple maths mean that someone will have to take their 2 week break during school time. My daughter is 5 and I am more than sure that 2 weeks during september will not damage her education for a sustained period. We are pulling her from school as a last resort and would like to think the schools are intelligent enough to understand our position, its not always down to cost, but simple pratical reasons.
Barbara, London says...
1:18pm Mon 14 Jul 08
What about key workers who are issued holiday, what would happen if all the nurses & doctors & police & firemen all wanted the same two weeks in the summer? Perhaps we should abandon the set holidays & enter the real working world of four to six weeks annual leave to be taken when you want -oh no wait that would mean that teachers would have to work in the summer, run up to Christmas, Easter - now that would be a shame if teachers & school staff had to have the same holidays as the rest of us!
Mrs L, says...
1:40pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Ok so this is going to be a 50-50 argument. I must add that I see both sides. My daughter was diagnosed with LCH earlier last year. She went through one op and lots of check ups. As she had been through so much we wanted to take her away and let her enjoy herself. I understand that education is very important but after nearly losing her to the big C both her dad and I decided that she should enjoy what she has as we never know what's round the corner. I went through all the correct channels and like the other lady, still got no reply from her school. I ended up booking it for next week which falls into the summer holidays. The flights alone have just cost me £3,000 without any transfers etc. When I thanked the school for being so rude and ignoring my request and showed them that had they of agreed her holiday back in February then I could have paid just £1,200 they sweetly said 'Sorry about that but we lost the form and presumed that you would have taken her anyway'!!!! Had I of just 'taken her' then I would now be facing a fine. I guess that no matter how you stick by or bend the rules you will never win. I wish I had just of said she was sick now and saved a whole lot of money and also a whole lot of wasted time.
Mother, Bromley says...
1:40pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Lynne Said "Why do people feel the need to have holidays every year that require fancy places and expensive tour operators? hat is wrong with holidays in this country -lots to see and do and bet no one has been to all the historical sites in UK"
Lynne - whos talking about "fancy" holidays? (apart from you). Holidays anywhere, even in this country cost 2, 3, or 4 times more in school holiday time than they do in term time.
A caravan in Bognor is a couple of hundred quid in June, rising to £600 or £700 in July/August.
I don't know where you get the idea about people wanting what you refer to as "fancy" holidays - and quite frankly I don't see that its any of your business where other people go.
Lynne - whos talking about "fancy" holidays? (apart from you). Holidays anywhere, even in this country cost 2, 3, or 4 times more in school holiday time than they do in term time.
A caravan in Bognor is a couple of hundred quid in June, rising to £600 or £700 in July/August.
I don't know where you get the idea about people wanting what you refer to as "fancy" holidays - and quite frankly I don't see that its any of your business where other people go.
Michelle, here says...
1:49pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Lynne on -you asked what is wrong with holidays in this country - the simple answer is the price.Holidaying in this country is a rip off ,have you seen the prices they are asking to rent a caravan,a cottage or a barn ?? and yes the prices of those double in the school holidays.I rented a converted barn in Norfolk for a week last August - it cost £500 for 1 week and only slept 4 people,then there was the petrol to get there and the food and entertainment.Then there is the weather - it can't be guaranteed to be warm and dry and rarely is.Therefore you have the additional cost's of finding things to do because the beach is usually a no no .Holidays in the country are as much a rip off in the school holidays as going abroad but at least you can guarantee the weather if you fly away.
Tracey, Orpington says...
1:49pm Mon 14 Jul 08
I have never taken my kids out of school for a holiday,education is more important than a holiday. Some people actually take their kids out before the six weeks hols or after them. So that can be anything up to 8-10 weeks off school. My sister takes her kids out of school for their hols and I dont agree with it. But the school lets them.
Mike, Orpington says...
1:58pm Mon 14 Jul 08
I can't see the harm in taking the kids out of school for a week or 2 in the year.I don't agree with some comments like 'you shouldn't take them out school is more important'.Of course school is more important but 2 weeks won't harm a child and they will be getting quality family time which in this day and age is not always possible.Many people have to work overtime and weekends to make ends meet & don't have the time that they want with the children.1 or 2 weeks holiday is when they can forget about the stress of working so hard to pay mortgages & bills and just relax & enjoy themselves with the children.If the kids miss out on something that is important they can always bring the work home to do in the evenings and weekends it should not be too difficult.I would not have any doubts about taking my kids out of school for a week or 2 if that option suited us as a family.
Michelle, Orpington says...
2:19pm Mon 14 Jul 08
I have to agree with the other comments in that it should be up to the parents to decide when to take their children out of school as long as they don't abuse. I do believe that ten days a year are given to a child to be out of school but I don't know if this is across all schools.
The cost of taking a family on holiday during the summer is very expensive and a rip off for all families and until this rip off is dealt with (which will never be done) why can't the schools be a bit more co-operative with parents on this issue.
It is vital for all children to learn about other cultures etc and if they have an opportunity to go abroad why should schools stop them.
The cost of taking a family on holiday during the summer is very expensive and a rip off for all families and until this rip off is dealt with (which will never be done) why can't the schools be a bit more co-operative with parents on this issue.
It is vital for all children to learn about other cultures etc and if they have an opportunity to go abroad why should schools stop them.
Gemma, Belvedere says...
3:02pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Jon wrote:You may not think it does your daughter's education any harm, but what about her interaction with her peers? The rest of her class would have settled down into routines and friendship groups during those 2 weeks. And as to holidays in this country, I have many a happy memory sitting in a tent playing board games with my family whilst it was raining outside. Quality family time doesn't have to mean going out.
I work in a office where only 2 people can have time off together. As there are 14 of us with children the simple maths mean that someone will have to take their 2 week break during school time. My daughter is 5 and I am more than sure that 2 weeks during september will not damage her education for a sustained period. We are pulling her from school as a last resort and would like to think the schools are intelligent enough to understand our position, its not always down to cost, but simple pratical reasons.
Lynne, says...
4:10pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Gemma wrote:Well said!!!
Jon wrote: I work in a office where only 2 people can have time off together. As there are 14 of us with children the simple maths mean that someone will have to take their 2 week break during school time. My daughter is 5 and I am more than sure that 2 weeks during september will not damage her education for a sustained period. We are pulling her from school as a last resort and would like to think the schools are intelligent enough to understand our position, its not always down to cost, but simple pratical reasons.You may not think it does your daughter's education any harm, but what about her interaction with her peers? The rest of her class would have settled down into routines and friendship groups during those 2 weeks. And as to holidays in this country, I have many a happy memory sitting in a tent playing board games with my family whilst it was raining outside. Quality family time doesn't have to mean going out.
lynne, says...
4:18pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Mother wrote:Actually as a school Governor who, along with my HT has to answer to DCFS regarding this issue I certainly think it is my business.
Lynne Said \\\"Why do people feel the need to have holidays every year that require fancy places and expensive tour operators? hat is wrong with holidays in this country -lots to see and do and bet no one has been to all the historical sites in UK\\\" Lynne - whos talking about \\\"fancy\\\" holidays? (apart from you). Holidays anywhere, even in this country cost 2, 3, or 4 times more in school holiday time than they do in term time. A caravan in Bognor is a couple of hundred quid in June, rising to £600 or £700 in July/August. I don\\\'t know where you get the idea about people wanting what you refer to as \\\"fancy\\\" holidays - and quite frankly I don\\\'t see that its any of your business where other people go.
I have just rented a cottage for 6 in Dorset for £500 a week IN the school holidays. Long time since I went there and my daughter never has been, my sister and baby can join us and we can go to all sorts of places.
My eldest is nearly 20 and my youngest 14 and the only school they have missed is for sickness (and in my son's case through secondary school that was about 3 days total) and one day for a grandparent's funeral. I have to plan my holidays well in advance, I work in a hospital where a lot of my team have young families and want the school holidays off.
Plenty of time for holidays outside of school time once they have left school. What they miss at school cannot just be repeated by bringing some work home to do, they miss all the interaction with peers and teachers which they really need.
Your Lord Erastus Theobald Piggott The All Knowing Guru, The Study says...
4:53pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Well said, Lynne.
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Mother, Bromley says...
10:42pm Mon 14 Jul 08
You "certainly think" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you're a school governor?
I don't think so.
I don't think so.
Lynne, says...
11:06pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Mother wrote:Maybe if you take my comment in context - if people are going to take their children out of school in term time something which is against school rules and contrary to gudance from the Government dept then it becomes my business, though actually I don't really care where people go just when!
You "certainly think" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you're a school governor? I don't think so.
I have no doubt that soon it will become law and then the consequences will be much more severe.
donna, walsall says...
12:00am Tue 15 Jul 08
I have just being fined £100 pound for daring to take my 6 year old daughter on holiday. We went at whitsun and then had an additional six days. My daughter is a model pupil, very bright and had a 100% attendance record. I feel the school were very spiteful not to give us permission to go. we saved over £700 so the fine was a small price to pay.
Lou, says...
7:44am Tue 15 Jul 08
donna wrote:Obviously they were thinking of your daugter and her education.....
I have just being fined £100 pound for daring to take my 6 year old daughter on holiday. We went at whitsun and then had an additional six days. My daughter is a model pupil, very bright and had a 100% attendance record. I feel the school were very spiteful not to give us permission to go. we saved over £700 so the fine was a small price to pay.
Michelle, N Eltham says...
8:43am Tue 15 Jul 08
Lynn On - They can interact with peers and teachers for the other 50 weeks of the year (minus the school holidays ).Two weeks - 10 days in a year would not make any difference to any child & i speak from experience.I have 4 children 3 have left school and are working or at college and the other is still in school.I have taken them out during term time and it has done no harm to any of them.This is the only way we could afford to take them abroad on holiday - did you also know that when you take 4 children on a hotel package holiday abroad you have to pay the adult price for 2 of them you only ever get 2 child places.If we took them during school holidays it would be the rip off charges for 4 adults and 2 children.My kids did not loose out at all from missing 2 weeks off of school they have passed their GCSE's and are all happy ,polite young adults.When we look at the holiday photo's and cam-corder films it brings back great memories of the holidays we shared as a family while they were young.They are grateful that we worked hard to afford to take them to many places which some of their friends have never been to.So to all you parents that feel guilty about taking your kids away for 2 weeks - DON'T BE BECAUSE YOUR KIDS WILL THANK YOU WHEN THEY ARE OLDER FOR THE GREAT TIMES YOU HAD TOGETHER AND THIS PRECIOUS TIME THAT YOUR KIDS ARE GROWING UP GOES SO QUICKLY AND ONCE ITS GONE YOU CAN NEVER HAVE IT BACK - WE HAVE CHILDREN TO ENJOY THEM SO IF YOU CAN ONLY AFFORD TO GO ON HOLIDAY DURING TERM TIMES GO & ENJOY YOURSELVES
lou, says...
9:31am Tue 15 Jul 08
Michelle wrote:We don't have children just to enjoy them,we are also given a responsibility to give them the best possible start in life. You are fortunate you say your children are OK but had they not missed all that school who knows....
Lynn On - They can interact with peers and teachers for the other 50 weeks of the year (minus the school holidays ).Two weeks - 10 days in a year would not make any difference to any child & i speak from experience.I have 4 children 3 have left school and are working or at college and the other is still in school.I have taken them out during term time and it has done no harm to any of them.This is the only way we could afford to take them abroad on holiday - did you also know that when you take 4 children on a hotel package holiday abroad you have to pay the adult price for 2 of them you only ever get 2 child places.If we took them during school holidays it would be the rip off charges for 4 adults and 2 children.My kids did not loose out at all from missing 2 weeks off of school they have passed their GCSE's and are all happy ,polite young adults.When we look at the holiday photo's and cam-corder films it brings back great memories of the holidays we shared as a family while they were young.They are grateful that we worked hard to afford to take them to many places which some of their friends have never been to.So to all you parents that feel guilty about taking your kids away for 2 weeks - DON'T BE BECAUSE YOUR KIDS WILL THANK YOU WHEN THEY ARE OLDER FOR THE GREAT TIMES YOU HAD TOGETHER AND THIS PRECIOUS TIME THAT YOUR KIDS ARE GROWING UP GOES SO QUICKLY AND ONCE ITS GONE YOU CAN NEVER HAVE IT BACK - WE HAVE CHILDREN TO ENJOY THEM SO IF YOU CAN ONLY AFFORD TO GO ON HOLIDAY DURING TERM TIMES GO & ENJOY YOURSELVES
Also why do you need to go to places which are so expensive? Holidays in this country are just as good and the children can learn about their own heritage and history. Package holidays abroad are a rip off and that is why they put the prices up in the summer holidays. If people stop going on them then the travel companies will have to consider their position and the prices they charge.
We also have lots of happy memories and photos but not from holidays taken in the school term.
As you say childhood is over quickly enough so lets give our children every opportunity to have the best education.
If you feel that the "education" your child receives on a holiday is better / equal to school then maybe you need to consider whether the school is right for your child!
I cannot understand this obsession with having to have a holiday abroad
anita, dartford says...
12:00pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Never took my kids out of school and always had an holiday in this country. Have stayed at some lovely places and also used to take them camping in the Lake District. There are some lovely places to take kids on holiday here - when they got older they went abroad for their holidays.
GOD, UP ERE says...
12:38pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Lynne wrote:Just because the nanny state govt tell me that I must do this and that doesnt automatically mean I will follow. I will not be held to ransom by travel comapnies who think they can up their prices every school holiday. And becasue the law is useless, any fine I pay for taking my kids away in term time still doenst cost as much as the school holiday surcharge. You work it out!!!!!!!!
Mother wrote: You "certainly think" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you're a school governor? I don't think so.Maybe if you take my comment in context - if people are going to take their children out of school in term time something which is against school rules and contrary to gudance from the Government dept then it becomes my business, though actually I don't really care where people go just when! I have no doubt that soon it will become law and then the consequences will be much more severe.
Gemma, Belvedere says...
1:05pm Tue 15 Jul 08
GOD wrote:A holiday is a luxury not a necessity, the holiday companies have the right to charge what they like for a holiday. Can you imagine the uproar if a teacher decided that s/he wanted to take a holiday in term time because they didn't want to pay more for a holiday. Taking a child out of school doesn't just disrupt their education it has a knock on effect on the whole class. Teachers then have to recap on things that the rest of the class have covered.
Lynne wrote:Just because the nanny state govt tell me that I must do this and that doesnt automatically mean I will follow. I will not be held to ransom by travel comapnies who think they can up their prices every school holiday. And becasue the law is useless, any fine I pay for taking my kids away in term time still doenst cost as much as the school holiday surcharge. You work it out!!!!!!!!Mother wrote: You "certainly think" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you're a school governor? I don't think so.Maybe if you take my comment in context - if people are going to take their children out of school in term time something which is against school rules and contrary to gudance from the Government dept then it becomes my business, though actually I don't really care where people go just when! I have no doubt that soon it will become law and then the consequences will be much more severe.
Anon Mother, South East says...
1:10pm Tue 15 Jul 08
My child will be going into year 8 in September and he will miss 8 days from out of school so we can go on holiday. This is the first time ever I have taken him out normally I can find a good deal during the summer holidays but this year I just couldn't afford the prices.
The first time in seven years of his education I am taking him out and I don't give a hoot what the school thinks and whether they fine me or not.
I am a working Mother who needs quality time with my child and if you think the idea of walking around the english countryside with an umbrella is my idea of fun you can think agagin. Been there before got the T shirt it was the worst holiday ever!
The first time in seven years of his education I am taking him out and I don't give a hoot what the school thinks and whether they fine me or not.
I am a working Mother who needs quality time with my child and if you think the idea of walking around the english countryside with an umbrella is my idea of fun you can think agagin. Been there before got the T shirt it was the worst holiday ever!
Lynne, says...
1:52pm Tue 15 Jul 08
GOD wrote:Well with an attitude like that the holiday companies have won haven't they? That means children lose.
Lynne wrote:Just because the nanny state govt tell me that I must do this and that doesnt automatically mean I will follow. I will not be held to ransom by travel comapnies who think they can up their prices every school holiday. And becasue the law is useless, any fine I pay for taking my kids away in term time still doenst cost as much as the school holiday surcharge. You work it out!!!!!!!!Mother wrote: You "certainly think" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you're a school governor? I don't think so.Maybe if you take my comment in context - if people are going to take their children out of school in term time something which is against school rules and contrary to gudance from the Government dept then it becomes my business, though actually I don't really care where people go just when! I have no doubt that soon it will become law and then the consequences will be much more severe.
Lynne, says...
1:53pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Gemma wrote:Hear Hear!!
GOD wrote:A holiday is a luxury not a necessity, the holiday companies have the right to charge what they like for a holiday. Can you imagine the uproar if a teacher decided that s/he wanted to take a holiday in term time because they didn't want to pay more for a holiday. Taking a child out of school doesn't just disrupt their education it has a knock on effect on the whole class. Teachers then have to recap on things that the rest of the class have covered.Lynne wrote:Just because the nanny state govt tell me that I must do this and that doesnt automatically mean I will follow. I will not be held to ransom by travel comapnies who think they can up their prices every school holiday. And becasue the law is useless, any fine I pay for taking my kids away in term time still doenst cost as much as the school holiday surcharge. You work it out!!!!!!!!Mother wrote: You "certainly think" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you're a school governor? I don't think so.Maybe if you take my comment in context - if people are going to take their children out of school in term time something which is against school rules and contrary to gudance from the Government dept then it becomes my business, though actually I don't really care where people go just when! I have no doubt that soon it will become law and then the consequences will be much more severe.
GOD, UP ERE says...
2:02pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Lynne wrote:I refer you to the comment I made earlier. I will not bough to Govt pressure or commercial robbery.
Gemma wrote:Hear Hear!!GOD wrote:A holiday is a luxury not a necessity, the holiday companies have the right to charge what they like for a holiday. Can you imagine the uproar if a teacher decided that s/he wanted to take a holiday in term time because they didn't want to pay more for a holiday. Taking a child out of school doesn't just disrupt their education it has a knock on effect on the whole class. Teachers then have to recap on things that the rest of the class have covered.Lynne wrote:Just because the nanny state govt tell me that I must do this and that doesnt automatically mean I will follow. I will not be held to ransom by travel comapnies who think they can up their prices every school holiday. And becasue the law is useless, any fine I pay for taking my kids away in term time still doenst cost as much as the school holiday surcharge. You work it out!!!!!!!!Mother wrote: You "certainly think" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you're a school governor? I don't think so.Maybe if you take my comment in context - if people are going to take their children out of school in term time something which is against school rules and contrary to gudance from the Government dept then it becomes my business, though actually I don't really care where people go just when! I have no doubt that soon it will become law and then the consequences will be much more severe.
lynne, says...
2:16pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Anon Mother wrote:Why can you not have quality time with your child at home? Why do you think you need a foreign holiday to do that? I am afraid that I would much rather walk around the English countryside than end up looking like a lobster in a foreign resort.
My child will be going into year 8 in September and he will miss 8 days from out of school so we can go on holiday. This is the first time ever I have taken him out normally I can find a good deal during the summer holidays but this year I just couldn\'t afford the prices. The first time in seven years of his education I am taking him out and I don\'t give a hoot what the school thinks and whether they fine me or not. I am a working Mother who needs quality time with my child and if you think the idea of walking around the english countryside with an umbrella is my idea of fun you can think agagin. Been there before got the T shirt it was the worst holiday ever!
If you have had a holiday every year for the last 7 then why are you whinging so much? I have not had a holiday away for at least that and have not missed out.
Mother, The Seychelles says...
2:59pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Lynne - you seem to have a real problem with people who want a holiday abroad.
Gemma, Belvedere says...
3:09pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Anon Mother wrote:There are other things you can do with your child. I am doing a cheap surfing holiday this year. Staying on a caravan park and hiring the gear for a week. Food and drink costs will be roughly the same as if I was at home.
My child will be going into year 8 in September and he will miss 8 days from out of school so we can go on holiday. This is the first time ever I have taken him out normally I can find a good deal during the summer holidays but this year I just couldn\'t afford the prices. The first time in seven years of his education I am taking him out and I don\'t give a hoot what the school thinks and whether they fine me or not. I am a working Mother who needs quality time with my child and if you think the idea of walking around the english countryside with an umbrella is my idea of fun you can think agagin. Been there before got the T shirt it was the worst holiday ever!
Lou, says...
3:30pm Tue 15 Jul 08
GOD wrote:If you continue to pay obscene prices the companies will continue to charge them. if no one pays them
Lynne wrote:I refer you to the comment I made earlier. I will not bough to Govt pressure or commercial robbery.Gemma wrote:Hear Hear!!GOD wrote:A holiday is a luxury not a necessity, the holiday companies have the right to charge what they like for a holiday. Can you imagine the uproar if a teacher decided that s/he wanted to take a holiday in term time because they didn\'t want to pay more for a holiday. Taking a child out of school doesn\'t just disrupt their education it has a knock on effect on the whole class. Teachers then have to recap on things that the rest of the class have covered.Lynne wrote:Just because the nanny state govt tell me that I must do this and that doesnt automatically mean I will follow. I will not be held to ransom by travel comapnies who think they can up their prices every school holiday. And becasue the law is useless, any fine I pay for taking my kids away in term time still doenst cost as much as the school holiday surcharge. You work it out!!!!!!!!Mother wrote: You \"certainly think\" it is your business where other people go on holiday Lynne just because you\'re a school governor? I don\'t think so.Maybe if you take my comment in context - if people are going to take their children out of school in term time something which is against school rules and contrary to gudance from the Government dept then it becomes my business, though actually I don\'t really care where people go just when! I have no doubt that soon it will become law and then the consequences will be much more severe.
lynne, says...
3:31pm Tue 15 Jul 08
Jo Fairfield, Lee London says...
10:02am Mon 14 Jul 08