taking kids out of school to florida

[alfie]

prob been loads of posts like this and Following on a bit from my last post, someone said 'would like to go in Feb if the schools had 2 weeks off' we always go around half term breaks e.g. around may and around feb therefore only taken them out of school for 5 days, i always check with the school mostly months in advance before i book to see if they are missing anything important, they so far have been very helpful as their school grinds to a vertual halt the week before half terms e.g. with them watching videos in lessons and having days off for staff training..with price not being the reason for taking them at these times, but purely Easter - far too busy, August holidays far too hot and wet and christmas busy also, has anyone had problems taking kids out of school and also does anyone dissagree with taking them out. As a note my kids have not fallen behind on work, are in the top sets, come back refreshed and READY for the weeks ahead of school.

[rosie]

This seems to be a hot topic right now and you will a lot of divided opinion on this subject. From a personal point of view we used to regularly take our kids out of school (they have all left now) and never felt they had missed anything vital to their education.

With the introduction of the new 5 or 6 term system coming in maybe it will give more flexibility for parents to holiday throughout the year rather than all going in July and August.

There are still a lot of work places that will only let you take holidays during certain dates so those parents have no choice either.

Bottom line is if Tony Blair can do it then so can anyone else in my opinion

[alfie]

Yes Rosie, i agree, also a point i didnt mention is that my husband cannot have time off in august which narrows it a bit!! when they were in primary school i did ask for a week and the teacher stated that she has to take her holiday in school holidays so she could not see why everyone else should be allowed!! I think she missed the point that it was her job and she was getting paid to do it - by the way both my mother and my husbands were school teachers.

[SteveW]

I personally do not see a problem so long as the school have cleared it and they give the kids some extra work if they feel it necessary.

A week before the school breaks up is preferable to the week they start back, as you say they are on wind down.

I just asked permission to take one of mine out of school next May and it was refused, as Nathan will be doing his SATS exams the week I wanted off.... I have no problem with that and would not wish to take him out during his SATS.

As for the new term times and flexibility I'm sure Virgin and BA (and others) are delighted ! (more premium fare options)

As I have 3 small children price probably is the key point for me at the moment plus having a villa it is always going to be easier to rent out during half terms !

[sandra777]

Before our children were 14 are started their GCSE years we always took them out of school for at least a week with no visible effect on their education. Hopefully this new more but shorter summer break system will get going soon.

[dbrook]

It was me who made that comment Alfie. When the children were younger I didn't have a problem and often took them out of school for a week in October added on to the half term holiday.

However I have one daughter doing A levels and another doing GCSEs, and personally I wouldn't take them out of school at this stage of their education. So it's Christmas or summer holidays for me for a few years!!!

[Cruella DeVilla]

NO DON'T DO IT!
We deliberately go after the kids are back at school, other peoples not our own that is as we have yet to have that pleasure, although after a day at the parks, it would put you off!!!!!!

[Homer]

At risk of a poke in the eye, but I take my kids out of school whether the school will let me or not!!

They dont check with me if it is ok to have an incept date do they but they manage to sneak them in 3 or 4 times a year

At the end of the day what differance does 2 weeks make in the great big scheme of things.

School holidays = Higher prices on flight's, hotels, villas etc and the saving is worth the hassle.

I am off in September and we will take the kids out a couple of weeks after the start of the new term.

That said it is not all fun part of the deal is they have to work while we are there such as converting prices to Sterling(maths) and reading menus's (english) and they also have to keep a diary of the trip while we are away.

Maybe the writing is on the wall regarding term times (6 per year)means that prices will be more sensible [msnwink] but most travel companies will just see it a chance to inflate prices for a longer period through the year

Sorry rant over

[alfie]

If i felt my child was falling behind i would not take them out, it is not only the price but the availability, Apparently if the school refuses permission (present Law) the only thing they will do is make a report of such and the only person who will get that report is the parent - i can live with that, the parents who's children always are at school very minor sickness record no truency etc surely are allowed to take them out for a week or so.....I want my children to remember great FAMILY holidays i am sure that builds a better charactor.

[Newhomebuyer]

The inset days which schools take are a legal requirement. It is also illegal to take children out of school for more than ten days a year for holidays and authorisation should be sought from the head teacher. The register is marked differently when an absence is unauthorised. Registers are usually checked by different authorities a couple of times a year.