Missing school for a holiday

Mariew1 Mon 20-Sep-21 12:18:5

Persistent unauthorised absences may result in a fine. Persistent truancy results in meetings with the EWO.

The school knows this pupil's history and some leniency should be applied in this instance. It's three days, not three weeks.

Absolutely go! They will benefit SO much. Enjoy and be blessed ?

I, alone, took my boys to Australia for six months back in 1988. We backpacked all round and across the middle. Younger boy was 7 and his brother was just moving up to senior school. We had amazing adventures. Both School Heads fully supported me and said education was not just in school. Wonderful memories. Hardly the same as three days but reason behind it could be very important and not to be missed. Good luck!

I would just go its 3 days not 3 weeks so can`t see the harm.

LauraNorder

Education doesn’t always take place in the classroom.
Travel is educational.

In general I'm with this, but I also know my SiL - who is a headteacher - would say that every absence like this adds one more burden on the teacher to help the child catch up, and that this in turn disadvantages the other children.

I wouldn’t risk asking a second time. I would just write it all down and make sure the school receives it on the first day of your GS’s absence. Tell them, don’t ask them.
I am dismayed at the school’s decision maker’s lack of empathy. However I worked in school for the last 11 years before retirement and saw two head teachers in that time; the first, a lovely man, would have said of course the child should have this opportunity to relax with his brother and the other would have threatened fines.
Good luck Miss A. I hope the boys have a great time,

I would normally disapprove strongly of taking a child out of school for a holiday but this is an exceptional situation and I believe it would be very beneficial for MissA’s grandson to have this holiday with his brother. He sounds like a clever chap so I doubt he would find it difficult to catch up on whatever he misses in those three days. I’m so sorry to hear of your situation MissA and wish you and your little family well.

Mallin

More is learnt on a 3 day holiday from normality than in 3 days of school lessons.

I think that very much depends on the holiday. I don’t think a child will learn much at an all including holiday in Spain with parents who just sit around the pool drinking!

Obviously that is not the case here and there are indeed extenuating circumstances and I agree that the school should have granted the absence but this statement t is very dismissive of the work teachers do.

GagaJo

The thing is though, most parents are up in arms about the amount of education children have missed this year. Surely to miss even more is crazy?

Or, they’ve missed so much already; will another three days make any real difference?

schools have become so rigid these days, what with expensive uniforms and petty rules, and dire consequences.
there is more to life than this.
who cares about the fine.
fortunately you are able to pay it, financially.
you are putting his well-being first. well done. he will remember that, and bless you.
darn the school !

When my grandchildren came over from NZ for an elongated holiday their respective teachers set them assignments and they emailed their work back. Didn't seem to be a problem and as they were teenagers they acted independently - in fact it must have been quite a learning curve for them.

My father had a job which meant that he had to work holiday times. Although the school protested we had holidays in term time. Our holidays were spent touring in England visiting historic venues and it did no harm. Education does not mean just learning about geometry etc.

I would point out that the holiday has a great deal to do with his mental health, and family connections. Point out you don't want to break rules, but you feel the benefit he will gain is beyond 3 days classroom attendance. You could also point out the bits of curriculum that he will achieve while away.

Depending where he lives there maybe a fine for being absent and very difficult to avoid as school knows about request. At 13 I wouldn't keep him off school. You say just before school holidays, why can he not have gone then.

That was a few years ago and common sense seems to have disappeared and autocracy has taken its place.

Schools are told by the Local Authority that they have to refuse for holidays. I think a lot of staff would secretly agree but hands are tied.

Your grandson would miss more than 3 days if he had tonsillitis. Let him go. It’s not a lifetime. Sounds like he’s been through a lot. ( I’m a retired teacher) Teachers will never tell you it’s ok- they are not allowed. If you think he needs this, if this will help him. Then let him go

I think you, as well as your young grandson, need this holiday MissA.
Go and enjoy yourselves. It sounds as though you deserve it. ?

MissAdventure, best not to ask - just be 'off sick' instead. My granddaughter, on a bus in the Algarve, met a classmate (incredible coincidence) who said 'You poorly too?'!

Hetty58

MissAdventure, best not to ask - just be 'off sick' instead. My granddaughter, on a bus in the Algarve, met a classmate (incredible coincidence) who said 'You poorly too?'!

Nooo..........

Do not put your children or grandchildren into the position of having lie to their teachers.

I was under the impression that most folks and kids had spent a great deal of time "off" this last 18 months? Why holidays have to encroach on the precious little term time our children have to attend is beyond me. A holiday is nice but not absolutely essential. Education is. To say that holidays are educational is a stretch and not likely either unless it's a field trip to somewhere akin to a working holiday, mooching about on a beach and staying up late isn't. If school has said "no" children should learn to accept"no" as an answer.old fashioned? Yep.missed too much school and regret it? Yep.remember those holidays? Nope.

Hetty58

MissAdventure, best not to ask - just be 'off sick' instead. My granddaughter, on a bus in the Algarve, met a classmate (incredible coincidence) who said 'You poorly too?'!

And you think it's funny? Like those who laugh at a misbehaving toddler.wrong messaging.lying is never good and quickly becomes a habit.

I think GP needs to be informed and a letter about his mental well being sent. He has been separated from his brother and mother and closing school was NOT his fault. I think the school needs to look at the whole picture. Meet face to face and hammer it out.

Well you are lucky if the school is not going to ‘Fine’ you for taking a chi,d out of school during term time. That’s what’s happens here.

Well, I certainly have lots of opinions to take on board!
Thanks all.

It is not an unreasonable request on the face of it but I think a few years ago they were imposing fines for doing this. Is there a problem waiting for school holiday time?