Fines for taking kids on holiday

[skittle]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2791365.stm

Would just like to know how many parents here would not take their kids out of school if they thought they were going to get fined?

A fine would still be cheaper than paying an extra 30-50% for taking kids on holiday during school breaks

[boosted ls1]

Reckon they should be fined. Maybe not the first time or for exceptional circumstances such as an educational holiday. I'd fine them especially if they went to Disneyland or for a holiday on the beach. In the 3rd world kids are desperate for an education whilst over here we take it for granted and just throw it away. Mind you I have noticed how all the prices for kid related things take a price hike once they're on holiday and that's bloody unfare if you ask me. The thing is that not all parents are responsible.

[Marcos maniac]

Taking mine on holiday during term time.

dont think that missing a couple of weeks will jeapordise her future education, she is in the top 3 of her class anyway utstrumpetaway:

Its 75% cheaper to go during term time

[MikeyT]

Not too bad when in juniors although never done it but wouldn't so it once they're at senior achool - taking the pi55 if you ask me - we want an education for our kids, but we're quite happy to forgo it to get a cheaper holiday :daft:

[gnomesmith]

Wearing my Victor Meldrew hat I can understand why some people wish to go on holiday at a time when there will be few, if any, children about. Is nothing sacred?

I think all requests to take children out of school should be considered by head teacher with board of governors as a back up. There may be cases where education would be enhanced by travel or, a package of additional education could perhaps be agreed.

If parents choose to go against professional advice then a fine seems reasonable particularly if the proceeds could be put towards school funds. In cases where there is a pattern of such absenteeism the school may wish to ask the pupil to reapply with the risk of perhaps being allocated to a different school.

[voyds9]

Prophecy

Fined for taking kids away in term time
Company won't grant holiday at kids holiday times (busy periods)
Child sues for breach of ECHR



However due to the amount of P*$$ing around at end of school year it appears a whole year is not necessary for education

[gnomesmith]

Ski holidays, however, tend not to be at the end of term.

[Mrs Fish]

De ja vu time - didn't we do this discussion yesterday???

[boosted ls1]

I suppose if your paying for them to have a private education then it might be different?

[LRdriver]

whats the problem, you can take the bastered out for 10 days a year with prior permission. Thats cool.
I think it will lead to parents taking notice now.. hit em were it hurts when the scrotes are yanking car antennas on th estate..

[anonymous-user]

I think it's wrong and frankly a little stupid to take kids out of school, once they are in secondary school, just to save a few quid.

However, I also think it's totally wrong for holiday companies to ramp their prices so much during school holidays. The answer may be for schools to stagger their holidays so that it becomes more difficult for the holiday companies to fix the window of opportunity for price hikes.

That would probably upset the teachers though and the poor sods only get 12 weeks holiday a year. Shame.

[angusfaldo]

So.. parents get fined for taking the kids out of school.

How about fining teachers for leaving the kids without teachers when they go on strike and for interfering with the school week by holding inset/teacher training days in term time.

[gnomesmith]

paul-b said: However, I also think it's totally wrong for holiday companies to ramp their prices so much during school holidays.

Do they ramp them up in a period of demand or reduce them when demand is lower?

Its what the market will stand just as a ticket for a clubbie at Thruxton is cheaper than a BTCC round.

[gnomesmith]

There was a good letter in todays Guardian where a parent pointed out that his child had missed a lot of schooling waiting for NHS treatment and asked whether the NHS would be fined....nice one.

[TSS]

My parents always used to take me out of school during term time for holidays. Never did me any harm at all. I probably learnt more from the travelling than I would have done by staying in school. This fining parents malarky is just another example of B'Liar's Nanny State taking over.

[Marcos maniac]

gnomesmith said:

I think all requests to take children out of school should be considered by head teacher with board of governors as a back up. There may be cases where education would be enhanced by travel or, a package of additional education could perhaps be agreed.

parents do actually have to ask the heads permission to take the kids out of school during term time other wise it gets marked as un-authorised abscence.

[boosted ls1]

And if it becomes the norm to take holidays abroad during term time then why not a few days in Devon or the afternoon off buying shoes etc. The problem is that the holiday companies rip parents off. The parents want to go somewhere expensive and save as much money as possible. If the sproggs are bright and doing well then it may be ok but a lot of parents don't give a toss about their kids education and these people would probably let the kids have the whole term off if if they were given a chance. Perhaps attendance should be mandatory nearer to exam time and in earlier years then absence should be with permission or consultation with the school? It's a case of some responsible people suffering because of many irresponsible people.