Taking children out of school

Gillybob

I agree with what you’re saying, And I’d feel the same, I just feel that children shouldn’t really be missing school.

There's a BIG difference between being frugle (a choice) and being actually on a budget!

On a budget you cant gamble on last minute deals. Especially since on a budget, its not just accomodation and travel you have to save for, but all spending money too.

Not forgetting that you have a high chance of at least some dry weather abroad instead of spending money trying to keep warm, dry and entertained I know because I’ve spent plenty wet and cold holidays with my children . Me and the other grandma had been buying the children loads of little bits and pieces for their holiday that wasn’t to be. Little swimming costumes, shorts, tee shirts, summer dresses, sandals etc. All wasted .

Notanan

I’m not disagreeing, I don’t know enough about holidays here or abroad to make too many assumptions, but I do know my frugal daughter holidays here quite cheaply, in some nice places, but I think they tend to go for last minute deals, and aren’t too specific about locations

As for caravan holidays? Forget about it unless you can afford to pay more than you would for flights and hotels!

Even if you collect Sun vouchers and pay £9.99 EVERYTHING is extra! (And most are not actually £9.99, most of them actually start at around £40)
Heating
Linen
Use of facilities
And of course food

AND the £9.99 holidays are....
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..drum roll...
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for term time holidays!

I agree that centreparcs isn’t a cheap british holiday, but there are alternatives

I never said centreparcs was the cheapest, I mentioned it to demonstrate that even exactly the same holiday with the same firm is cheaper in Europe even accounting for travel to Europe!

Same for camping! Have you seen the price of a pitch in the UK in recent years? You can spend £££s on a camping holiday wheras you can get a pre-pitched tent in Europe for half of that

The people holidaying in Britain arent necessarily the frugle make-doers of the bunch!

A "traditional" british seaside holiday has luxury prices these days. On a budget, Europe is more doable.

Gillybob

We live quite close to one, and I sometimes think it would be nice to take the children for a few days, but the cost, even for a long weekend is very pricey.

I’ve looked at Centre Parcs is extortionately expensive ( even for just 3 days ) and almost everything seems to be extra on top .

I agree that centreparcs isn’t a cheap british holiday, but there are alternatives.
I admit we had some lovely foreign holidays with our children, but before we could afford them, we went to lots of British locations, sometimes it was fabulous, a couple of times the weather was dreadful, but we once spent a fortnight in Corsica, and it rained every day.

I’m not a killjoy, I think family holidays are very important, for some families it’s the only time they all get together and relax, but whenever possible, I think they should take place in the school holidays.

I’ve been looking for one of these so called “cheap breaks” for my family and believe you me they do not exist in the school holidays.

Im not saying that british holidays cant be lovely. We holiday in the UK. But they DO tend to cost more than deals you can get in Europe! Even if you use the same chain! (E.g. its cheaper to travel to the Netherlands and go to Centreparcs there than it would be to go to the one that is 45 minutes drive away from us!)

No, just the one, I admit they’re a family who are unfazed by bad weather, but they’ve had some lovely holidays, often late deals.

I just wondered, I thought perhaps they may have booked a caravan break as an extra.
I don't know what made me think that. Mad.

Yes, why do you ask?

Is that their only holiday per year,*Sara*?

I have yes, I know what you mean, I find it astonishing what some places charge for a week in a caravan, I also appreciate that paying a fortune for a caravan, then having it rain for a week is hugely disappointing, I know, I’ve been there!

But it can be done, one of my daughters is a very shrewd holiday booker, they’ve had some great British holidays in cottages and apartments, even the Channel Islands, at very reasonable prices.

Not saying it’s a better option, but I think on balance, that term time holidays shouldn’t be encouraged.

But I think that to take your children out of school for a couple of weeks mid term, because you can’t afford to go on a resort holiday in Europe, is not on, do what generations of families have done, have an affordable uk holiday, the children can have just as much fun.

Have you seen the price of UK caravan type holidays lately?
European resorts ARE the cheap option!

I'm really of mixed mind. The families I know that do take holidays during school term tend to be a bit better off, and so can generally afford a tutor as well. They also tend to take education quite seriously and will hire a tutor if needed.

I cannot answer to what disruption it causes the teacher or the other students, though as this becomes more common it will have more of an effect.

And as for being on vacation at the same time as families; the answer would be adults only hotel or resort. Even at resorts there is usually an adults only pool for a bit of quiet.

I will also add that during the two weeks prior to Christmas, and the last three weeks before summer the kids aren't missing very much curriculum, so I wouldn't feel too guilty about pulling them out of school a week early to avoid holiday rush (and higher prices).

I know all the arguments for taking children out of school in term time, I agree that probably taking a child out in the last week of term is alright, because as previous posters have said, not a lot goes on then, and holidays are important

But I think that to take your children out of school for a couple of weeks mid term, because you can’t afford to go on a resort holiday in Europe, is not on, do what generations of families have done, have an affordable uk holiday, the children can have just as much fun.

I’m sure that for teachers, there must be a certain amount of disruption with term time holidays, and I don’t think all children would like it.

As for my own holidays, I love to see children around.

Yes I got that too Summerlove but it’s a fairly typical comment from those that have the “I’m alright jack” kind of attitude .

I strongly believe that a holiday is almost a necessity for hard working families . A chance to spend quality time together away from the stress and humdrum of everyday life . Who could begrudge watching families and children enjoying themselves ? Really ?

Gilly, the other thing that stuck out to me Was saying that if somebody couldn’t afford to go during term time they shouldn’t go. Classist and elitist. So apparently anybody who can’t afford a holiday during the most expensive times of the year shouldn’t be allowed to take one ever.

Maybe the holiday companies don’t rip the French and German families off as they do the British

There is a degree of truth in that.

Germany isnt a good example. Germans dont take their kids out of school in Germany because they CAN'T not because they wouldnt otherwise. It has very strict education laws. School is very compulsary.

Germans in Britain take term time holidays!

IMO one of the nice things about travel is that generations mix more abroad than they generally do here.

Plus if you dont want to see children on holiday, what about the local's children?

How can anyone be inconvenienced by seeing/hearing someone else’s children having fun ?

Maybe the holiday companies don’t rip the French and German families off as they do the British .