Term-time holiday dad loses court battle
Discussion
PurpleMoonlight said:
Redlake27 said:
I think parents who are complaining about pricing should also go back to school for a GCSE Economics lesson on supply and demand.
You might call it that, I would call it profiteering.The underlying costs of the business do not increase during school holiday periods, so neither should the cost to the consumer.
If they charged the same price all the time, they'd be too expensive most of the time and get even fewer guests, and then they'd sell-out too cheaply when the sun shines, and miss their opportunity to recover.
I don't know what you sell, but if you don't sell it for the highest price you can get, I'd would wonder why not.
It's not like the tourism industry is actually a very profitable one, and the problem is largely caused by funnelling everyone into intractable school holidays.
Murph7355 said:
moanthebairns said:
....I could go on.
If you do can you think first about which view (pro or con the ruling) you are intending to support...on current form you're not doing a great job of suggesting less time in school is needed 
The rules are there so people dont take the piss, but we all would agree that every now and then, rules are made to be broken. I find it hard to believe that anyone with children would never contemplate taking kids out in school term or doing so.
I had a 25% attendance record in my final year of school and still got highers, my attendance was s
t at best. I used to skive off school all the time, did it effect me, I'll give you I could do with a few more Engerlish lessons but I'm 29, 4 years as a lab tech, 3 building surveying and 6 years as a piping/mechanical designer. Self employed and never claimed benefits. People maybe have been away far too long from school to realise just how little you actually do now or how much of it you can use. Lets be honest, a day in 1st or 2nd year can consist of home eckies, P.E, French, music and modern studies...... Once the child focuses in on core subjects for their standard grades and highers that of course is different. Up to 3rd year in high school you spend half of it fannying about saying here Mrs and going between classes.
SpeckledJim said:
You're ignoring some very straightforward business problems. Holiday resorts have too little demand for most of the year, and too much demand for a little bit of the year. Most resorts run at a loss 8 months of the year.
If they charged the same price all the time, they'd be too expensive most of the time and get even fewer guests, and then they'd sell-out too cheaply when the sun shines, and miss their opportunity to recover.
I don't know what you sell, but if you don't sell it for the highest price you can get, I'd would wonder why not.
It's not like the tourism industry is actually a very profitable one, and the problem is largely caused by funnelling everyone into intractable school holidays.
And even if they didn't make a loss, who wouldn't ramp up prices to take advantage of demand. Like a restaurant that charges 50% more on Friday and Saturday nights.If they charged the same price all the time, they'd be too expensive most of the time and get even fewer guests, and then they'd sell-out too cheaply when the sun shines, and miss their opportunity to recover.
I don't know what you sell, but if you don't sell it for the highest price you can get, I'd would wonder why not.
It's not like the tourism industry is actually a very profitable one, and the problem is largely caused by funnelling everyone into intractable school holidays.
I don't see parents selling their family homes at 50% under market rate in the South East because they don't want to be accused of profiteering.
Neonblau said:
TTwiggy said:
I don't think you understand what 'entitled' means.
+1For the hard of thinking or simply Australians
entitled
ɪnˈtʌɪt(ə)ld/
adjective
believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.
Can you not see why most 'normal' parents who goes on holiday during term breaks don't think like this. I will say that I can see (as can the other parents who follow the rules) why people do it.
The fact he took it to court rather than pay the relatively low fine tells me about the man's character, it was an unwise decision and the ruling was wise, otherwise the precedent would be set leading to a free-for-all.
This kind of thing makes me think of the new "Smart Motorways" We're a country so proud and supposedly free, we need nanny state to punish us and penalise us for the tiniest misstep.
Quite funny how they'll punish a man trying to treat his daughter, yes might of been some oneupsmanship game with is ex, but at the same time where is the punishment for the hoards of bd parents who've destroyed the education system with their spawn. We reward them with cheaper housing and government sponsored wages if they even fking work.
Quite funny how they'll punish a man trying to treat his daughter, yes might of been some oneupsmanship game with is ex, but at the same time where is the punishment for the hoards of b
d parents who've destroyed the education system with their spawn. We reward them with cheaper housing and government sponsored wages if they even fking work. Nanook said:
Whether or not this was a good decision, I'll not comment upon.
But the law and rules behind it, a parent is not allowed to take their child out of school for a day without explicit written permission from the teacher?
Remind me again, who's child is it?
When I was ten, my great Gran turned 100. I had the day off school, and we were given a tour around the football stadium of the team she had supported all her life. Met the players, went out on the pitch, saw the trophy room, etc.
Did I learn anything from it? No, apart from that it took Mark Hateley forever to do his hair, but it was an experience I recall fondly today.
Today though, that wouldn't be allowed, as there's no educational merit to it. I obviously understand that it's important to keep kids in school, so they can get an education, and as a result, hopefully, a job, so they can contribute to our society. You can't just skive off to stay home and play the playstation. But to me, it seems to have swung too far in the opposite direction.
That's not bad, playing football at her age.But the law and rules behind it, a parent is not allowed to take their child out of school for a day without explicit written permission from the teacher?
Remind me again, who's child is it?
When I was ten, my great Gran turned 100. I had the day off school, and we were given a tour around the football stadium of the team she had supported all her life. Met the players, went out on the pitch, saw the trophy room, etc.
Did I learn anything from it? No, apart from that it took Mark Hateley forever to do his hair, but it was an experience I recall fondly today.
Today though, that wouldn't be allowed, as there's no educational merit to it. I obviously understand that it's important to keep kids in school, so they can get an education, and as a result, hopefully, a job, so they can contribute to our society. You can't just skive off to stay home and play the playstation. But to me, it seems to have swung too far in the opposite direction.
It does seem strange that headmasters are now assumed to know what's best for a kid. If we are measuring a kid's attainment by how many days they spend in school, then we are in for problems. It's what use they make of them. Results are important of course, but so is their social and family life.
Every time I read of people knowing better than the parents and family, I think of my gran. She had her morals and sense of right and wrong - which have stuck with me all my life - and no one else could tell her otherwise. Well, I assume no one could, but no one would try. She had a reputation of being something of a miserable martinet yet she was a soft as wet tissue and a real laugh. Irony was her strong suit. Mind you, I'd not be the headmaster who tried to tell her they knew best when it came to her family. Gutters can be very cold when you are bleeding from various orifices.
Derek Smith said:
Nanook said:
Whether or not this was a good decision, I'll not comment upon.
But the law and rules behind it, a parent is not allowed to take their child out of school for a day without explicit written permission from the teacher?
Remind me again, who's child is it?
When I was ten, my great Gran turned 100. I had the day off school, and we were given a tour around the football stadium of the team she had supported all her life. Met the players, went out on the pitch, saw the trophy room, etc.
Did I learn anything from it? No, apart from that it took Mark Hateley forever to do his hair, but it was an experience I recall fondly today.
Today though, that wouldn't be allowed, as there's no educational merit to it. I obviously understand that it's important to keep kids in school, so they can get an education, and as a result, hopefully, a job, so they can contribute to our society. You can't just skive off to stay home and play the playstation. But to me, it seems to have swung too far in the opposite direction.
That's not bad, playing football at her age.But the law and rules behind it, a parent is not allowed to take their child out of school for a day without explicit written permission from the teacher?
Remind me again, who's child is it?
When I was ten, my great Gran turned 100. I had the day off school, and we were given a tour around the football stadium of the team she had supported all her life. Met the players, went out on the pitch, saw the trophy room, etc.
Did I learn anything from it? No, apart from that it took Mark Hateley forever to do his hair, but it was an experience I recall fondly today.
Today though, that wouldn't be allowed, as there's no educational merit to it. I obviously understand that it's important to keep kids in school, so they can get an education, and as a result, hopefully, a job, so they can contribute to our society. You can't just skive off to stay home and play the playstation. But to me, it seems to have swung too far in the opposite direction.
It does seem strange that headmasters are now assumed to know what's best for a kid. If we are measuring a kid's attainment by how many days they spend in school, then we are in for problems. It's what use they make of them. Results are important of course, but so is their social and family life.
Every time I read of people knowing better than the parents and family, I think of my gran. She had her morals and sense of right and wrong - which have stuck with me all my life - and no one else could tell her otherwise. Well, I assume no one could, but no one would try. She had a reputation of being something of a miserable martinet yet she was a soft as wet tissue and a real laugh. Irony was her strong suit. Mind you, I'd not be the headmaster who tried to tell her they knew best when it came to her family. Gutters can be very cold when you are bleeding from various orifices.
Not all parents are able to choose their holidays especially when factories have annual shut downs or if the parent works in a holiday resort.
I thought this was supposed to be about keeping kids in School and focus feckless parents minds and ensuring their kids attend school.
This girl and he father fall into neither camp but I do know someone who has 4 children and they frequently miss school but as the parents are on benefits the school never pursues them.
I thought this was supposed to be about keeping kids in School and focus feckless parents minds and ensuring their kids attend school.
This girl and he father fall into neither camp but I do know someone who has 4 children and they frequently miss school but as the parents are on benefits the school never pursues them.
Wife is a teacher so we've been going peak times for what 15 years.
The issue does get tricky with my work and school holidays. So for instance December zero holiday it's year end (so skiing at Xmas not possible). Skiing Feb half term is eye watering lot pricy (forget about summer sun). Or skiing waster but snow might be dire. May holidays do not work, then Aug we have a strict 2 weeks in that whole 6 week time frame we can go. Oct yep
So Long haul for summer sun in Oz or South Africa or Thailand simply isn't possible. Actually over 3 hours on a plane with kids is a nightmare 2 is ideal - hence Majorca works so so well Sun great beaches close and same timezone.
The issue does get tricky with my work and school holidays. So for instance December zero holiday it's year end (so skiing at Xmas not possible). Skiing Feb half term is eye watering lot pricy (forget about summer sun). Or skiing waster but snow might be dire. May holidays do not work, then Aug we have a strict 2 weeks in that whole 6 week time frame we can go. Oct yep
So Long haul for summer sun in Oz or South Africa or Thailand simply isn't possible. Actually over 3 hours on a plane with kids is a nightmare 2 is ideal - hence Majorca works so so well Sun great beaches close and same timezone.
I disagree. I don't subscribe to the state poking their nose in.
By the way, if he was a bit more PH and the kid went to private school, this fine wouldn't apply. Funny that. Or of course, if he was a religious nut that would be ok too. But making a decision as an ordinary parent - no, not allowed.
BTW I'm a teacher. As usual this will only affect normal families that have stuff to lose. We have many many many pupils in our school with dire attendance, who are never prosecuted. If you're on benefits there's little point. So only the middle classes will pay. Also, we have many many many religious bullst reasons why kids are taken out. We even have kids that are taken off roll and go to another country for a few months, then when they return we have to allow them back on again. None of which will ever be criticised we're too scared of the pc brigade.
By the way, if he was a bit more PH and the kid went to private school, this fine wouldn't apply. Funny that. Or of course, if he was a religious nut that would be ok too. But making a decision as an ordinary parent - no, not allowed.
BTW I'm a teacher. As usual this will only affect normal families that have stuff to lose. We have many many many pupils in our school with dire attendance, who are never prosecuted. If you're on benefits there's little point. So only the middle classes will pay. Also, we have many many many religious bulls
t reasons why kids are taken out. We even have kids that are taken off roll and go to another country for a few months, then when they return we have to allow them back on again. None of which will ever be criticised we're too scared of the pc brigade.Nanook said:
Whether or not this was a good decision, I'll not comment upon.
But the law and rules behind it, a parent is not allowed to take their child out of school for a day without explicit written permission from the teacher?
Remind me again, who's child is it?
Ultimately, the State's.But the law and rules behind it, a parent is not allowed to take their child out of school for a day without explicit written permission from the teacher?
Remind me again, who's child is it?
CoolHands said:
I disagree. I don't subscribe to the state poking their nose in.
By the way, if he was a bit more PH and the kid went to private school, this fine wouldn't apply. Funny that. Or of course, if he was a religious nut that would be ok too. But making a decision as an ordinary parent - no, not allowed.
BTW I'm a teacher. As usual this will only affect normal families that have stuff to lose. We have many many many pupils in our school with dire attendance, who are never prosecuted. If you're on benefits there's little point. So only the middle classes will pay. Also, we have many many many religious bullst reasons why kids are taken out. We even have kids that are taken off roll and go to another country for a few months, then when they return we have to allow them back on again. None of which will ever be criticised we're too scared of the pc brigade.
as usual with most things these days laws with penalties are aimed at the people who respect the law and will pay the fines. Wouldn't a responsible parent just check with the school to see what could be done whilst on holiday or possibly the weekend before returning to school.By the way, if he was a bit more PH and the kid went to private school, this fine wouldn't apply. Funny that. Or of course, if he was a religious nut that would be ok too. But making a decision as an ordinary parent - no, not allowed.
BTW I'm a teacher. As usual this will only affect normal families that have stuff to lose. We have many many many pupils in our school with dire attendance, who are never prosecuted. If you're on benefits there's little point. So only the middle classes will pay. Also, we have many many many religious bulls
t reasons why kids are taken out. We even have kids that are taken off roll and go to another country for a few months, then when they return we have to allow them back on again. None of which will ever be criticised we're too scared of the pc brigade.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff