school holidays

**holidayhunter** · 06-05-2007, 00:05

Hi just a general question.I've noticed while reading through the forum that some parents travelling with children do so out of school holiday times. How do you explain this to the school and is it easy to do. I would like to visit Florida in Sept/Oct time as it was quite hot in July last year but there aren't any school holidays then. Thanks in advance for feedback.

**xtratime** · 06-05-2007, 00:23

Ithin alot depends on the school. when mine were at primary school, it was no big deal. The school did not approve but took no action about it. Thier current school is a totally differnt story and will not permit it under any circumstances. they will report to the local authority and take action internally on the children such as barring them from positions of responsibility

**Kazzie** · 06-05-2007, 00:39

I have taken my 11 year old daughter out of school for just one week and tagged it onto a one week school holiday to enable us to go for a fortnight. Schools are much more strict about taking children out these days though and we are advised to first seek permission from the school before booking flights etc. When my eldest son was at primary school (he is now 23) we took him out for a 3 week visit to Florida without the bat of an eyelid. Some education authorities are stricter than others and can impose a fine for taking children out for holidays. You may be best to start by talking to the head teacher at your childs' school to find out what their policies are.

Karen

**Nikki D** · 06-05-2007, 00:58

My daughter is still in primary school and I have never had a problem as long as its after exams and of course I always ask first. Things will change though so I thought I wouls make the most of it before she goes to high school.
I always wanted to go round october but I have always thought it was to soon after just starting a new school year.

**Jill** · 06-05-2007, 01:54

Our son was at a grammar school and his headmaster was quite happy for children to have holiday during the school year providing their work was kept up. He had a very sensible attitude to it, which was there was more to learning than sitting in one of his classrooms and that children could learn a lot from being on holiday, even at Disney! He fully appreciated that not all parents could take their leave during the school holiday period and in some cases could not afford it.

**ShirleyD** · 06-05-2007, 01:57

I suggest you speak to your school as they all have different policies and as others have said, you must avoid exam times. A very popular time is October half term, when many people take their children out of school for a week along side this break. It is in my view one of the best times of year in Florida, with the days still hot but the humidity low. May half term is also good, but this is often exam time

**mizzy** · 06-05-2007, 02:14

you would have to check with your local education authority, they will be able to tell you their policy on children being granted time off during term time for a family holiday

with my local authority it's 10 days may be permitted (not 10 take for granted days) but you still have to apply with the reason why you would like to take your child out of school during term time

Mizzy

**domster** · 06-05-2007, 11:54

Most schools have different rules. So best to speak to them about this. I would maybe look at bolting 1 week onto the back end of one of the school holidays. Maybe this will be ok for them. They might not have too much of a problem if you ask for the full 2 weeks. If you don't ask you don't get.

**Sally D** · 06-05-2007, 12:00

My girls schools allow 10 days per year as authorised absence. We always go in October so we combine it with half term so end up taking 7 days authorised. They do have to collect work and catch up when they return. Last year they all sat on the plane doing it. My middle daughter was doing her french and luckily was sitting next to a french man who helped her with spelling[msnsmile2]