Comments on: Holidays in Term Time

By: Fran

Fran — Wed, 25 May 2016 17:23:06 +0000

In reply to Vicki. I've seen a few of your pics; certainly looks like the holiday of a lifetime!! Sounds like you planned it very carefully to minimise disruption and obviously general attendance is a big factor also.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Wed, 25 May 2016 11:06:53 +0000

We’ve taken Chloe out for an extra week before half term so we can go on a holiday of a lifetime to Disney – couldn’t afford it in the summer hols plus temp would be all wrong, so timed it to miss as few days as possible. This is her first holiday abroad for 3 years, and her attendance record is very good – 1 day off for sick, she even made it in the day her sister was born! When I asked for extra work & spellings for the week she’d miss I was told to go & have fun, and if Chloe had time to write about what she did each day that would be great, but not to make a big thing about it. If it’s taken at the right time to minimise disruption then I think it’s fine.

By: Fran

Fran — Wed, 25 May 2016 08:29:36 +0000

In reply to Louise. You've summed it up exactly as I would. Also think you're completely right about the type of holiday. We've been on expensive ones and very reasonably-priced ones and the children don't differentiate between them at all!

By: Louise

Louise — Tue, 24 May 2016 22:20:12 +0000

A thorny issue, but I agree with you Fran. Unless it’s a special occasion (e.g. a wedding), children shouldn’t be taken out of school for holidays. Not only is it disruptive to the child, it is also disruptive to the class as a whole. Imagine how much disruption would be caused if everyone took their child out of school for a week or two a year! The travel industry charging more in school holidays is simple supply and demand, so unless something is done to stagger holidays, this will never change. Families may need to choose less expensive holidays, but if my children are anything to go by, an inexpensive camping trip is just as exciting as a week or two in the sun. Unfortunately I think the recent court decision in favour of the father who chose to go on holiday during term time will only lead to more legislation in this area, which will make it more difficult for parents to take their children out of school when there is a genuine special event.

By: Fran

Fran — Tue, 24 May 2016 17:23:37 +0000

In reply to Louise. It would be chaos for teachers if everyone did this. I thought I'd probably be in the minority with this view, so happy someone agrees :-)

By: Louise

Louise — Tue, 24 May 2016 16:47:53 +0000

I agree with you 100%. At Wilson’s we grouped insets together and had an extra October half term week one year which was great except Joe was at school still and no I wouldn’t take him out! As far as the cost goes, it is what it is and you have to budget for it. As I teacher I have always had to pay school holiday prices but that’s life. If every parent took their child out teachers jobs would be a nightmare.