‘Fixed Penalty Notices’ for taking children out of school in term time.
This morning, we had a letter from the school quoting Regulation 7 of The Education Regulations 2006 Act (it states that schools should only grant leave of absence during termtime if the school ‘considers that leave of absence should be granted due to the exceptional circumstances relating to the application ’).
The Governors, the letter continues, have therefore decided that they will not grant leave of absence for any of the following reasons:
- Availability of cheap holidays
- Availability of the desired accommodation
- Poor weather experienced in school holiday periods
- Overlap with the beginning or end of term
- Any other reason not deemed to be ‘exceptional’.
Now yes, I realise that children benefit from being in school and getting on with their lessons, and I can see fors and againsts for only taking kids out of schools during holidays – we won’t, for instance, be taking #1 out of school as he’s currently in his GCSE years – but there are several points that I think schools are missing:
1. While holiday companies continue to inflate the cost of their products during school holidays, should we be forced to spend more money in order to have time as a family?
2. I am not anti-education in any way. My kids have to be dying before they’re off sick, and I always arrange dentists/doctors appointments after school, but can’t holidays be educational too? Can’t holidays be life-enriching and give children new and different experiences? Can’t visiting other countries and experiencing other cultures be part of their all-round education and not frowned upon?
3. I hate to sound like an old fart, but I was taken out of school for my holidays for years and years. My education went perfectly well. I got decent exam results and didn’t turn out to be a total brain donor. Should taking our children out of school really warrant a fine?
I do get annoyed with one mum at my DD’s school who seems to be forever taking her son out in term time..
I’m delighted to announce that our forever sensible and down to earth Headmistress disagreed completely. As she put it “our school is situated in an area of financial deprevation. Many children would not be able to go on holiday at all if their parents were forced to pay peak prices. A holiday is good for the children and even the most sunbed based, raucous holiday in Benidorm has educational and cultural benefits. What IS a problem is when parents of children who are clearly not doing well in school choose to take their offspring out of school for two weeks at critical times. We always ask that parents do not do this, but sadly there will always be apathetic parents who do not work in conjunction with the school. Generally though, we should be supporting the parents – holidays are good for both the children, the parents and domestic life in general.”
Cx
http://www.charlotte-castle.blogspot.com
I totally concur – holidays have so many benefits and schools should be supportive, where the parents are acting sensibly, as you say x
#just saying#
#just saying#
I agree with you completely!
Another point is that with alot of schools If your face fits the head will give permission, if it doesn’t they wont!! one rule for one one rule for amother! A family I know are away every school holiday thats 13weeks of the year, and they are always overlapping, but because they are up the heads arse and they have plenty of money and the dad was head of goveners.. they get their own way!!! and yet those that need a well earned once a year family holiday do not get the permision!!!
Is this fine enforceable?
what I mean is, if you dont pay it will you go to prison? would that mean you going to court 1st?
would it be county court or criminal court?
I tell you one thing if everybody who refuses to pay the fine and cloggs up the already busy courts… the judges will soon get very tired of the situation and go in favour of us the parents!!
also would the courts want to take perfectly good parents away from their children for a prison term!!!
plus their is the power of the media, no school wants to be reflected in a bad light in newspapers etc…. so that would be my 1st point of call… get it in print!!!
I think its time for parents to fight back!!
MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!!!!
All very good points. I can imagine that there are some parents who go too far and do damage their children’s education by taking them out for vast tranches of time, but look at lovely Wallop – she’s taking her kids on the adventure of a lifetime for a year – how can that not benefit them immeasurably? Madness.
Those schools must be picture-pristine-perfect with no absenteeism/tardiness/poor grades/discipline issues if this is what incenses the Principal!
Holiday and be Damned, Missus! X
Schools have to try to encourage all parents to see the benefits of enducation. Those of you who have commented about the benefits of travel are those parents who share their childrens school days with them & in those situations, there is no problem. However, it is when children are taken out to buy shoes or because it is their birthday that the problem arises. Unfortunately, there can’t be two sets of rules hence the word ‘may’. If your child’s attendance was in the low 80%, I’m sure as head I’d say no.
Primarily I disagree with the fines. I think the prices of holidays in school holidays are a case of supply and demand, but that does put some holidays out of some families’ reach, so I can understand taking pupils out of school to experience other cultures and have some quality family time. I think parents should be allowed to make that choice for their children and most parents would be sensible about it, only a small minority would cause their children to miss more than a couple of weeks school a year. Again, it is the Nanny state dictating to the masses for the misdemeanors of the few!
All I ask is that parents understand that their child will have missed some of their education, are happy to accept worksheets and notes I have kept for them so that they don’t have any gaps in their books and that they don’t expect me to give up my lunchtimes and hold after school sessions to teach their children the lessons they have missed whilst on holiday. (I do, of course, give my time freely when pupils have been off ill.)
And could teachers be allowed to take time off in term time to get cheaper holidays, please?!
Again, well reasoned and intelligent – surely this would be a good middle ground – some dialogue between school and home to agree catching up and holiday journals, etc x
Things are much easier now so we don’t really have to go at that time of year any more. We usually go in May and time it around the June Bank Holiday when there are extra days off.
This year I did feel a bit guilty but then I noticed something when he went back to school….he was much happier and less stressed. HE NEEDED the break and benefited hugely from it!
I think what your schools are proposing are very harsh…particularly in these recessionary times. Holidays can be quality family time and this shouldn’t be under-estimated. Here in Ireland (Primary school)they allow 20 days absence in the year (to cover illnesses!) and they did plead with us not to take them out of school! But…if you time it right it can work very well! x Jazzy
Furthermore, a good education isn’t reliant on being there for every single week. As someone said above, plenty of kids have time off sick and they’re none of them brain damaged because of it. It’s about great teachers, supportive parents, and so much more.
And what’s wrong with taking your child out for a cheap holiday to the Costa Brava? If that’s all you can afford, and can only do it during school time, well that’s fine – children benefit from all sorts of experiences. And family time is important in their development as well as school time. I’m a firm believer in building memories – as your holidays in Ireland and The Lake District prove.
Every holiday is different, every family is different (whether childless or no) and everyone deserves time together. It’s a case of flexibility and a reliance on everyone to be sensible.
But I have to disagree with the above comment about caravan holidays! after pricing them up.. a holiday in a caravan in peak season is a good £200 plus on top, and that was in this country.
yes in the good old days when I was a kid it was cheaper !!! not anymore!!
Some of us will never be able to afford a once in a life time trip, costa brava and the like might be the only type for us!
shouldnt look down noses at these types of holidays, as children thrive of positive environments.. and a well deserved break in the sun where families can relax together can be just the ticket!!
Needless to say after not having a family holiday for 5 years, me and my boys are going camping week after next, all the budget of a single parent, (whose ex has left in a finacial mess) will allow!
she didnt get permission from the head, (You know the same head that gives the other family all the permission they need!)
the ironic thing is the family who are always overlapping their holidays can afford the fines, the lovely Irish family cant!!
but you know what they ignored the head took the kids out for the week, they paid the fine because it still worked out cheaper than going in peak season!!
Our school also closes at a moments notice for teachers meetings/training etc despite the fact that teachers have such long periods out of the classroom.
The difference in ferry crossing for our holiday taken at last 2 weeks in June as opposed to first week in July was €500 – I am sure the accommodation would have been something similar. That is a lot of money to most families now and can make the difference between going on holiday or not.
1) Easter – Still looking after youn animals so risky.
2) May half term – Hay and Silage time
3) Christmas – who would look after the farm as staff would be taking time off to be with their families
4) Well that leaves feb and oct half term hols.
My husband has set non-negotiable holidays that fall outwith school holidays more often than not. Are we to forgo family holdays for the next fifteen years?
I’m more than happy to debate the cultural benefits of a holiday and would even be happy to discuss the least disruptive times in which to take the holiday. I’m more than happy to do extra work in advance and help with the catching up when we get back – after all the teacher shouldn’t have to pay the price!
In short, a bit of adult negotiation could avoid such a situation where a fine is necessary, surely?
I can’t see any reason for disallowing term holiday as long as there is good attendance otherwise and it’s not a SATS/exam year. And not necessarily for ‘educational’ holidays. A week swimming and making new friends, maybe learning a few foreign phrases, can also be seen as educational.
And yes, I knew you were playing devil’s advocate, you bugger.
I am a Childminder now… originally started when my eldest was a baby (now 13)
did u know that childminders now have to be qualified ICP DCP etc NVQ3 and by 2012 we have to either be doing a degree or have obtained one! keep in mind that the EYFS is from birth till end of reception class in primary school…but we dont get the same pay as a primary school teacher!!!
Yes I love my job… but the pay doesnt reflect the work that goes into it!!
Also keep in mind if we all went for high paid jobs …. there would be no one around to look after the kids so you and yours can go have your high paid jobs!
Shop workers are not high paid, doesn’t mean they are uneducated, if they didnt do the job where would u get your groceries?
what Im saying there is a place and purpose for most people, we all rub along together most of the time to the benefit of others!!
schools need to start treating parents with more respect (as do others judging by some of the comments!!!), most of us work hard and long hours to provide for our own families…
My children are mine… they are my responsibility. they rarely have time off school as education is important in this house… but so is good quality time you experience in during a family holiday. If I want to take them on holiday in term time I bloody will!
I think imposing fines is absolutely ridiculous – sign of weak management! Blow ‘market forces’ – it’s time the travel industry woke up and realised it would get more business if prices didn’t peak and trough. Just my thoughts – sorry to bang on so:-)