Taking children out of school

Some of them maybe home schooled . The chap who mends our PC home schooled his 4 children at primary stage and they did their school work at weekends and went out and about on educational trips , fun days and holidays during the week when everything was quieter .
They all went onto grammar schools .

Home schooled kids can cover everything (and more) in two hours per day. I always let mine wear what they wanted to school. Three chose the uniform and one didn't.

He was always confident and went to a primary where everyone else wore the uniform. He was comfortable in cotton track suits and trainers. There were 'conversations' I had with the staff but, legally, uniform is optional. He was a high achiever so they made allowances.

At high school (where it's compulsory) he had his own unique version of the uniform, again, cotton and comfortable for sensitive skin.

The idea of following rules I struggle with (even as a teacher). I wouldn't like being told what to wear. It's hard to find good reasons for uniform nowadays. You can't tell who's poor or wealthy by their clothes. Most people don't wear suits/uniforms to work either.

Hetty58, most people do wear uniform or at least follow a dress code at work, only a minority have complete free choice in what to wear. Children these days are very aware of who is wearing branded clothing and who is wearing cheaper shoes or clothes. Fortunately most children are kind and don't notice/ don't care, but some might use it to bully or humiliate. School uniform helps to stop this happening and also instills a sense of belonging, togetherness and community.

We took ours out of school one year.
Not to pay less but because with DH's shift rota it meant he could only take holiday during his 10 rest days which some years was only once a year or in mid winter.

DD3 and family saved long & hard for a visit to DD2 in Oz last Christmas. The children, 6& 9, missed the last week of school when it was mostly Christmassy events- carols, nativity, present making etc and just a couple of days at the beginning of the Spring term. The school were happy for them to do this and the amazing experiences they had in Oz outweighed the few days absence from school. An opportunity like this doesn’t present itself very often

We used to take ours out of school a week early at the end of the summer term when we Eurocamped in France. It got us on the ferry with considerably less hassle and at cheaper rates. They didn’t miss any schooling as it was mostly class room tidying, films and games.

Things haven’t changed in this respect so our DD2 took DGD out a week early too this year for a weeks touring in Iceland. She had 100% attendance the rest of the year so there was no fine or complaint from the school. She learned a lot more than she would have in school.

For a number of years in the 1970s, my DH was unable to take leave during the summer holidays. If we did not take the children out of school there would be no family holiday. As his work took him away from home a lot, we felt this one week of family holiday each year was essential

We discussed it with the school first, explained the problem and the school accepted it. Their only concern was that more parents would follow suite.

The Headmistress told us that our 2 children were able enough to quickly make up lost school, but other children might not be. So we just said nothing about it to anyone, had our week away and sent the children back to school. Most parents didn't notice and if anyone did say anything I made it clear that the decision was forced upon us by DH's work.

I took my youngest out of her Primary School for 3 days. She was so appalled at my behaviour I thought she was going to pass out. The embarrassment of having such a shocker for a Mum.

My girls went to an all girls senior school. Every 7 years or so it closes down for a golf tournament. They get over a week off.

They were always very good with any parent wanting to take their children out in term time. I suppose they couldn't really complain.

My parents didn't like crowds so always took their holiday in May or June. Obviously meant I had to miss school but I just used my friends work to help me catch up. The only thing that really affected my schooling was when I caught measles when I was 13 and was off for four weeks. I had to give up Latin because I never did manage to catch up with all the tenses and declensions.

If it does make life very difficult for the teaching staff to deal with many children missing a lot of school then I supposed it must be frowned on.
At this point I must say that my family and all my friends missed a lot of school when we came to the U.K. on leave every 2/3 years. I mean a lot. Our teachers didn’t bother to help us catch up. We all seem to have been reasonably successful in life.
As far as the children are concerned I think it’s lovely if they can have a family holiday and experience new places. If mum or dad can’t take their holiday during holiday times then they have no choice.

I lost a whole year of my education one way and another, through ill health and constant school changes. My education was continuous from 13 so it did not affect my exam years and those are really the only ones that are critical.

As a teacher I would say If you are going to take your child out of school do it at the end of the school year not while they are getting used to a new teacher and year group.

In my experience parents who keep their children off on a regular basis for an odd day or 2 and have poor attendance over the whole year loose out more.

I would like to look at this issue from a different angle.

Like most people of our age, we never go away in the school holidays, preferring to avoid other people's children now that ours have grown up ! We therefore go away, in this country and abroad, in May (avoiding half term week!), June, September or October.

Just imagine if parents weren't prevented from taking their children away in term time? We honestly wouldn't know when would be a quiet time.

After all schools are closed for 13 weeks a year which is ample time for holidays and breaks, as we did when ours were young.

Yes I know it is cheaper in term time, but having children is all about having to make decisions according to finances isn't it, and holidays are one of those decisions.

There have always been cheap holidays like caravanning and camping, so there really is no excuse.

Those of us who are older, as well as those without children also need and deserve a break, but away from others' little darlings!!

I also agree JenniferEccles and I love going to adult only hotels.

Adult only resorts or hotels sound like your refuge then JenniferEccles.

But even then you’ll get young adults.

Parents with young children should be allowed to go on holiday if they can afford it. No matter when that is.

There are always adult only hotels for those wishing to avoid children , or is it the entire resort you want the children banned from ? Best inform the French, Germans, Spanish and every other potential holiday maker in the world when and where you are thinking of going then JenniferEccles .

NfkDumpling I'm shocked at that school; the last week of term being mostly classroom tidying, films, and games. I do hope the teachers can inject education into those activities!

I’m not saying I want children banned from anywhere just that I wish families would stick to taking their children away in during the very lengthy school holidays so the rest of us can plan our getaways accordingly.

Why has this turned out to be a contentious view with a few on here?

I thought everyone of my generation felt the same about holidays and other people’s children?

I'm with you Jennifer!

I would just like a holiday.....with or without children would be equally as as good for me. We were all children once you know .

I think you missed my point JenniferE assuming they could ban all U.K. children from holidaying in term time how would that change anything ? The French, German children etc would still be there wouldn’t they ? Why not just go to adult only hotels ? I really don’t understand

Plus most parents only have 4 weeks per year dictated by their employers, the lengthy school holidays are only lengthy if you happen to work in a school .

I really can’t understand why anyone would want to begrudge a hard working family a much needed/longed for holiday, no matter when it was .

I thought everyone of my generation felt the same about holidays and other people’s children?

Only if Im going somewhere "adult" like a wine tasting trip. Otherwise its nice to see all kinds of people enjoying themselves!

Just imagine if parents weren't prevented from taking their children away in term time? We honestly wouldn't know when would be a quiet time.

Whethet it is quiet or not depends on the type of holiday you book not the time!

Beach resort/city break: never "quiet" (unless it's totally out of season and everything is shut!

Rural retreat: always quiet.

Hth

Those of us who are older, as well as those without children also need and deserve a break, but away from others' little darlings!!

When I want a break from people, I take myself away from people! And hire a cottage somewhere remote and beautiful.
I do not expect others to vacate built up areas for me just because Im a bit weary of society and need a break from it!