Taking kids out of school
Discussion
WHat is the consensus on kids missing school for hoidays and what not?
My eldest is 5 now so for the first time we are not supposed to take her out of school.
On the whole I agree completely and the reasons are obvious.
Things keep cropping up though, that we have to say no to because they are in school time, and I often wonder whether I am too rigid in this rule.
FOr example-we've been invited for a few days skiing which would involve her missing 3 days of school. If we don't go it is not something we will do in the holidays.
My thoughts are that she would benefit far more from the skiing trip than 3 days school at this age. She cant be learning anything that we could teach her ourselves if neccesary.#Yet I would feel guilty.
What do others think?
My eldest is 5 now so for the first time we are not supposed to take her out of school.
On the whole I agree completely and the reasons are obvious.
Things keep cropping up though, that we have to say no to because they are in school time, and I often wonder whether I am too rigid in this rule.
FOr example-we've been invited for a few days skiing which would involve her missing 3 days of school. If we don't go it is not something we will do in the holidays.
My thoughts are that she would benefit far more from the skiing trip than 3 days school at this age. She cant be learning anything that we could teach her ourselves if neccesary.#Yet I would feel guilty.
What do others think?
My take on it is that for something like a 3 day holiday... especially at such a young age, her experience and knowledge will be vastly improved with a trip away than by spending 3 days stuck in a classroom.
Jees, I used to bunk of school for days... never did me any harm :-)
So go for it.
Jees, I used to bunk of school for days... never did me any harm :-)
So go for it.
Education isn't just about what happens in the school room, especially at that age. Quality family time is very important and somewhat underestimated.
My eldest is 15 now and I've taken her out of school for a few days every year, her grades haven't suffered and she's got to do things and learn things she wouldn't have sat behind a desk.
My eldest is 15 now and I've taken her out of school for a few days every year, her grades haven't suffered and she's got to do things and learn things she wouldn't have sat behind a desk.
Now they are a little older we cannot not reasonably take them out of school but shame of it is that I am busiest (Freelance) in the Summer school holidays and boy do you get shafted by the transport and travel companies during the school breaks.
The Villa that we used to rent every year in June is triple the price in the school hols and the neighbour there says that it is too hot and far too crowded in August.
The Villa that we used to rent every year in June is triple the price in the school hols and the neighbour there says that it is too hot and far too crowded in August.
My wife is a primary school teacher and is of the belief that even a couple weeks out of the school year is not going to have a any significant affect on a child's education, and they will probably benefit if they are going somewhere interesting or on an activity holiday. The real reason that schools don't like it is not that it affects the childs education, but it may make their absentee figures look bad against government targets. 
V8mate said:
I absolutely agree that education is more than school.
It seems that, in disagreeing however, more and more schools have now made it an 'offence' (IYKWIM) to remove children from school for the purpose of holidays.
A friend of mine is fined £100 for each of his 3 kids that he takes out of school during term time to go on holiday. He says compared to the cost of going during the official school holiday it is worth it. It seems that, in disagreeing however, more and more schools have now made it an 'offence' (IYKWIM) to remove children from school for the purpose of holidays.
Sheets Tabuer said:
I normally wouldn't have a problem unless they are in secondary school and studying for GCSEs but I have to wonder how much skiing a 5 year old will do.
you haven't seen a group of 5 year old French kids hurtling down a run after their instructor in one long snake have you!Sheets Tabuer said:
I normally wouldn't have a problem unless they are in secondary school and studying for GCSEs but I have to wonder how much skiing a 5 year old will do.
Loads! If they can walk, they can ski. Only problem is that when they're really small, the weight and bulk of equipment and clothing is higher relative to their body mass, so it's a bit hard.In my opinion, at that age, the life experience gained from visiting another country and engaging in an activity like skiing, far outweighs the loss of that time in school.
When in the final two years of GCSEs or A Levels it's a different proposition.
Personally, i'd go, but obviously not make a habit of it.
When in the final two years of GCSEs or A Levels it's a different proposition.
Personally, i'd go, but obviously not make a habit of it.
Our eldest just took 3 weeks out for filming a Kids programme with the BBC.
We were all for it as she was provided with a tutor but the school said no initially. The BBC then protested to them and proved that she would be catered for adequately and the school grudgingly caved in.
She came back from her trip with a great experience under her belt and gained a lot from it.
Schools are only interested in 'stats' nowadays to impress their governing bodies, not the development of the kids.
ETA: Tom, did you know it's illegal to take kids out of school, you pervert?
We were all for it as she was provided with a tutor but the school said no initially. The BBC then protested to them and proved that she would be catered for adequately and the school grudgingly caved in.
She came back from her trip with a great experience under her belt and gained a lot from it.
Schools are only interested in 'stats' nowadays to impress their governing bodies, not the development of the kids.
ETA: Tom, did you know it's illegal to take kids out of school, you pervert?
Edited by Cara Van Man on Wednesday 14th January 09:14
fadeaway said:
Sheets Tabuer said:
I normally wouldn't have a problem unless they are in secondary school and studying for GCSEs but I have to wonder how much skiing a 5 year old will do.
you haven't seen a group of 5 year old French kids hurtling down a run after their instructor in one long snake have you!croyde said:
V8mate said:
I absolutely agree that education is more than school.
It seems that, in disagreeing however, more and more schools have now made it an 'offence' (IYKWIM) to remove children from school for the purpose of holidays.
A friend of mine is fined £100 for each of his 3 kids that he takes out of school during term time to go on holiday. He says compared to the cost of going during the official school holiday it is worth it. It seems that, in disagreeing however, more and more schools have now made it an 'offence' (IYKWIM) to remove children from school for the purpose of holidays.
Almost worth paying a private doctor to say they have some infectious disease .. highly contagious of course ..
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff