| Author |  Topic  |
Robert5988
United Kingdom
1536 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline |  Posted - 19 Sep 2006 : 19:41:12  
| quote:
Hi Robert. I think you missed my point, I think parents that don't bother about their children's schooling (or lack of) will not bother whatever. If they play truant, could they care? probably not!! You seem quite cynical "rag & bone cart " whats all that about? I would suggest that all the people who have discussed this topic are great parents who love their kids and would NOT!! abuse the system. So why should they be made to feel like criminals for having a few days holiday. Of course the goverment is ALWAYS!! right as we all know. I also think most people on this forum wish Florida was mandatory
Mike,
With respect I think you have missed the point and not I; and I suggest the tone of your post smacks of playing to the audience of this forum, rather than reasoned comment.
Every civilised country in the world has laws making it mandatory for kids to attend school. It is exactly why we have elected Government(and not faceless bureaucrats) - to Govern. They in their wisdom decide that it is in the Child’s interest that they attend school during the whole school term time, and to avoid the disruption that absences bring to the whole class.
Now most parents go along with that as a principle; and it is one of the few cases where most people believe the Government is right. You and others evidently have other priorities and it would appear most people sacrifice that principle for financial reasons, and I can understand why they do so; life is full of compromises.
So what you do with your children is between you and the school authorities and none of my business. My objection is your post attacking eminently sensible regulations, designed solely with children’s interests in mind, it what appears to be an attempt to salve your conscience.
Bear in mind that if you get on your soapbox, you are likely to get heckled!
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Katys Grandad
![]() United Kingdom
1292 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 19 Sep 2006 : 22:29:26
| As astute as ever Robert - there do seem to be a lot of parents who want to persuade themselves that what they are doing is in the best interests of their children when, in reality, it's really about saving money.
I wouldn't dream of telling any parent how to bring up their children but, equally, I wouldn't jeapordise my own's education just for a cheaper holiday. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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LiesaAnna
 United Kingdom
11993 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Sep 2006 : 07:24:39
| its ok if you have the money to take the children on a holiday during the school hols, its almost double at times, i have 6 children and i used to take them out in the holidays only, but the place is absolutely packed and for all the money you spend you just dont get to do all you wanted to,
so i save money, my children have never lost out on an education, they have done well in everything they have chosen to do, and at least they can look back and say they have had a great time growing up, we take homework with us and they learn all the time in a different country, i hardly knew America exsisted when i was young let alone ever visit America or any other country, in fact i never had one holiday with my mum and dad /brother/sister as a child ever!!!
the whole point is, everything is so expensive, flights the worst!! |
Liesa | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Pegasus928
 Qatar
1031 Posts
Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Sep 2006 : 09:43:16
| We took our two out of school for 3 weeks in 2005, and 2 weeks this year. Our next trip overlaps the half term hols but they will still be out of school for the other 10 days. For us it is not just about the cost but hubbies shifts are pretty much set in stone and we have to plan around those. Also our eldest has some special needs and his doctor has often told us that he thinks a holiday to Florida should be compulsory for all children. 
Our next trip (2008) will probably be the last one that my son gets with us before he leaves school as he will have exams etc to cope with so we plan on making it as special as possible for him.
We have never been fined by the school for taking them out as we don't do it often and they never miss school for any other reason.
Mrs Pegasus | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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pieman790
 United Kingdom
3883 Posts
Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Sep 2006 : 12:03:23
| | We are guilty of taking our kids out of school but we always have permission from the school and try to use at least one of the half term weeks. It is very hard trying to get time off together from work especially during the summer holidays and Christmas. We had planned on going to Florida for this Christmas again but we both had our leave turned down so we are going in November and then wait until next July. |
Neil & Cathy
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/1401.aspx | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Albert the Frog
 United Kingdom
361 Posts
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Sep 2006 : 16:29:21
| ...........anyway!
There is a direct train from Pink Panther country (Durham,Durham) to Manchester Airport and here are the details.
Outward Journey Option 3
Station Timetable Train Company Travel By
Durham dep 11:22 Transpennine Express
Manchester Airport arr 14:14
Duration: 2:52 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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KevinT
 United Kingdom
1643 Posts
Joined: 12 Sep 2003
Status: offline | |
freddiehollie
 United Kingdom
267 Posts
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Sep 2006 : 19:35:25
| I have no reason to "salve" my conscience as both my children are only two, so the schooling problem has never occured. When a couple's work commitments mean they cannot get a holiday with their family I don't see a problem with taking a couple of days out of term time. That or no family holiday means everyone misses out. Which is quite sad .When talking to a neighbour recently, she said that they had never had a family holiday due in the main to work. As she has five children & another on the way she said it was one of the things she missed the most, a couple of weeks away all together, the only way will be (when the latest arrives) to take up some term time. That should'nt be a crime. |
mike | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1536 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Sep 2006 : 21:53:01
| quote:
I have no reason to "salve" my conscience as both my children are only two, so the schooling problem has never occured. When a couple's work commitments mean they cannot get a holiday with their family I don't see a problem with taking a couple of days out of term time. That or no family holiday means everyone misses out. Which is quite sad.When talking to a neighbour recently, she said that they had never had a family holiday due in the main to work. As she has five children & another on the way she said it was one of the things she missed the most, a couple of weeks away all together, the only way will be (when the latest arrives) to take up some term time. That should'nt be a crime.
In supporting posters taking their kids out of school you wrote:
quote:
Why should we get told off by schools/goverment,or whoever, about our actions with our kids due to WORK!! commitments, not fitting in with school terms. School holidays are long enough as it is without taking extra days for teacher training or inset days over & above. If the school can do that to us, we will fit our holidays round our work & not them. We work very hard to provide for our family, so they are not going to stop us enjoying a few weeks away as a family.
You may wish to look at the terms in italics you used in that quote:
My reply was in that context and is still valid.
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alastair
![]() 161 Posts
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Sep 2006 : 23:20:00
| I think the whole discussion about taking children on holiday during school terms needs to be put in context. Yes, it is mandatory for children to attend school, but the school also has the ability to grant pupils up to 10 days off during term time at the heads discretion. I do not believe any parent taking children out of school where it overlaps a school holiday is in any way jeapordising there education. Any week leading up to a term break is invariably going to be a wind down week for the school not critical school time - less, if any homework. staff in service days and activities weeks. We have taken our children on holidays where they finish school a few days before a term break and the school has always advised us that it is OK and they will not be missing much, if anything.
Will a child who has time off school during term time for vacation, miss more in terms of education than one who has time off sick during term times? | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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DIKKO29
 United Kingdom
58 Posts
Joined: 26 May 2006
Status: offline | |
Robert5988
United Kingdom
1536 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 14:14:03
| Somewhat ironic that headlines on the BBC news today was about the number of lessons being missed by pupils and the damaging effect it has on their education. Although it dealt mainly with truancy, the Minister specifically mentioned absences for holidays in term time.
My kids were not clever enough to have extra time off during school term time, which was a pity as it would have saved me loads of money. Not being very bright they found getting their degrees and Masters degrees at University quite hard work.
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LiesaAnna
United Kingdom
11993 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | |
alastair
![]() 161 Posts
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 16:16:51
| Liesa, I'm afraid that ministers are more interested in soundbites.
Robert, I'm pleased your kids managed to achieve their degrees and masters degrees. We are fortunate that ours also achieved theirs despite havng a few days off in term time. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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janice
United Kingdom
180 Posts
Joined: 02 Jan 2004
Status: offline | |
Cruella DeVilla
 USA
10716 Posts
Joined: 18 May 2004
Status: offline | |
millie
 United Kingdom
640 Posts
Joined: 29 Sep 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 26 Sep 2006 : 16:09:28
| Going to wade back in to this one as I was one of the posters who said they will be taking their children off school.
Lets get this in perspective.... We are talking the last 2 weeks of school - I know for a fact that they are taught nothing new these weeks (from a teachers mouth) - it is very much a wind down. I am not damaging my child's education. She will learn a vast amount when we are there.
When I was young I was taken out of school for holidays due to my Dad's work schedule and we went to places like Africa and the US. If I was to miss anything specific my Mum took it with us and as both of them are intelligent people I was taught it by them. I was never allowed to get behind.
And amazingly I still managed to get an honours degree from St Andrews Uni so I don't think it did me any harm..........
I think most of this is people being pedantic about others taking their children off school. Noone is suggesting that children are off school for more than a short while. Schools will authorise 10 school days anyway so there is not a problem.
Is there any need for the attacking of others on here? I certainly don't come on to have my decisions as a parent questioned by someone I don't even know.
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KevinT
United Kingdom
1643 Posts
Joined: 12 Sep 2003
Status: offline | |
Katys Grandad
![]() United Kingdom
1292 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 26 Sep 2006 : 16:55:49
| I really don't see anybody on this thread attacking the way people decide they will bring up their children. What I do see is sensitivity on the part of some posters who seem to want to convince themselves and others that they are taking their children out of school in the children's best interests when, in most cases, it is to save money on their holidays.
I would ask why, if there is no education happening in the last 2 weeks of term, parents aren't asking the schools to put that situation right? | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Macka
 United Kingdom
1349 Posts
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Status: offline | |
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