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Its a view shared with a lot of people though, hence the rise in foreign holidays. Sun, sand, sea is a popular combination for so many people.
and please use their services
Taking kids out of school to go on holiday
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Its a view shared with a lot of people though, hence the rise in foreign holidays. Sun, sand, sea is a popular combination for so many people.
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I know what you are getting at, and know your observations, mine are purely observations of what I see on holidays
A great number of people just want sun/sand/sea. Outdoor persuits/farms/animals are probably not such a popular thing as the beach/pool and gauranteed sunshine
I personally prefer sight seeing/photography/culture on my holiday but I expect I am in a minority.
cambsno
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Even if they do the kids are swimming which is good and they will still probably spend quality time with family. Taking a young child out of school does no harm! If it does, simple, take a week off the summer holidays and allow kids 1 week off when they like. School days remain the same!
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Even older kids can get away with the odd week off here or there, they catch up.
viv1969
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No I'm sorry. The point was quality family time.
It's not quality time if they're in a kid's club and mum and dad are knocking back the cocktails by the pool.
Take the kids out of school if you wish....knock yourselves out, but don't be preaching "quality family time" unless it's spent together as a family.
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A mate of mine has just taken his family to the Isle of Wight for a week staying in a log cabin, when he told me what it cost I was gobsmacked, cabin, ferry and fuel in a normal car to get there and back it's pushing £2000
And they wonder why parents take their kids out of school
Earlier this year they had inset days fri and the following mon so he booked a long weekend at centre parcs
In the pool they met one of his daughters teachers who went bright red as soon as she saw them
Teacher training my arse
Alisonfd
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I remember my school being really iffy about holidays. We could take them but they had to be approved before hand, by filling in a holiday form. If we had been off for a few days with an illness, they would ring to check if we were still home and not having a jolly.
But at the same time, they didn't care about me being rarely there due to my health and disability.
3 different schools, and none of them were able to offer any support despite being rated some of the best schools in the area. When my first GCSE year came I really expected some support, even if it was just a load of textbooks and work being sent to me.. But nothing. The only help I received was some photo copies of a few history textbook pages and an RE booklet 2 weeks before my final GCSE exams. I only found out coursework questions etc from friends and relied on Wikipedia etc for studying as I had 0 resources from the school.
I don't really get this though. I would expect us to be allowed to take the kids out for 1 week holiday as long as it isn't around exams and maybe 2 weeks with permission from the head teacher. If I had kids, I'd risk the fine unless they were low on attendance already.
But at the same time, they didn't care about me being rarely there due to my health and disability.
3 different schools, and none of them were able to offer any support despite being rated some of the best schools in the area. When my first GCSE year came I really expected some support, even if it was just a load of textbooks and work being sent to me.. But nothing. The only help I received was some photo copies of a few history textbook pages and an RE booklet 2 weeks before my final GCSE exams. I only found out coursework questions etc from friends and relied on Wikipedia etc for studying as I had 0 resources from the school.
I don't really get this though. I would expect us to be allowed to take the kids out for 1 week holiday as long as it isn't around exams and maybe 2 weeks with permission from the head teacher. If I had kids, I'd risk the fine unless they were low on attendance already.
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So if non payment of a fine meant a holiday at her majesty's pleasure, I assume you'll be taking your child with you.
wibbly
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So if non payment of a fine meant a holiday at her majesty's pleasure, I assume you'll be taking your child with you.
Nope. I wouldn't let my child pay for my sins
But if it came down to it then on principle I'd rather do the bird than pay!
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Really? I think the average working week is a lot shorter than it used to be. Our grandparents would have worked a full day on Friday and probably a half day on Saturday with just Sunday as a whole day off.
Steve.
Raptor Mike
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They don't want children to have time off for holiday but schools close for teacher training days 
cambsno
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But in 'the old days' everyone had Sundays off. More part time working and shifts these days. Many families I know seem to come and go, one finishes work and the other hoes out to work.
Bobsyeruncle
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If the kids like it, and the parents like it, it's quality family time. Doesn't have to be together
viv1969
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If the kids like it, and the parents like it, it's quality family time. Doesn't have to be together
No, that would be quality parent time and quality kids time......I'm afraid for family time the family kinda has to be....a family.
In your scenario, the parents could be in the costa brava and the kids in a toilet in Lincolnshire...or as we should call it, Skegness.
viv1969
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The only Disneyworld is in America.
The rest are Disneylands.
Is it not a 50 quid fine these days. Worth every penny. Seriously thinking about it for next year with the family
omens
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I'm in my thirties now but my parents only ever took us on holiday around three times before the age of 16. Once when I was five, again when I was ten and lastly when I was twelve. Apart from the fact they couldn't afford holidays , they were adamant that we did not miss school in years with important exams.
I think I missed around five weeks of school in total. Did it do me any harm? No. I managed to pass my GCSEs and A-levels, went to university and got a half-decent job.
I think I missed around five weeks of school in total. Did it do me any harm? No. I managed to pass my GCSEs and A-levels, went to university and got a half-decent job.
akr
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Don't have to be away from home. You are right you can save money, but then again you can do most of those things on weekends. So if you have the disposable income it will often make sense to go away from where you are based (that could be abroad or not) which may also save on travel time once there. I took a week off earlier in the year and stayed at home, and it was great, but we will also be going abroad later in the year (to see family principally) but that will also be great. Having a holiday not in your house just feels different - getting away fro it all and all that.
Before I had kids, for me going on holiday was all about new experiences and places, so I'd go far away to places were I could do or see things I could not where I live, as well as using them to see family who live abroad. It's a bit world, lots to see. For now, it's about being away together, doing something we all enjoy, with the focus on our children (well the one old enough to have an input now).
Well....I prefer it not to rain when I'm on holiday, or generally, other than at night when I'm sleeping, when it's fine. Thunderstorms can be cool though.
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I work in a school, support staff role non teaching. Primary school only. Our parents get fined for taking pupils out during term time. May reason is we have to supply details of attendance for finding each year. More pupils off means less funding for the follow year! Also goes against ofsted marking when they come in and do checks! I agree it wrong having to stick to school holidays. But there is a reason more and more school are finding parents. They need to keep attendance up. Also we have a teaching training day on Ramadan so that we keep up attendance levels has over 60% of our kids wouldn't be in. That day anyway.
viv1969
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I don't believe it wrong to make parents adhere to school holidays.
Holidays have been the same for a very very long time.
Holiday companies have been charging a premium during school holidays for a very very long time.
Anyone with kids in school now must have known this since before conception.
Holidays have been the same for a very very long time.
Holiday companies have been charging a premium during school holidays for a very very long time.
Anyone with kids in school now must have known this since before conception.
akr
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Have fun on your holiday in the Atacama desert
I would, but I fear the wait of the thunderstorm may be longer than our holiday!
akr
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Vive la revolution!
Raptor Mike
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I did, but it doesnt make it easier or cheaper. That's a bit like saying if you dont like the holiday times/prices, dont have kids
viv1969
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I did, but it doesnt make it easier or cheaper. That's a bit like saying if you dont like the holiday times/prices, dont have kids
No. It's saying if you don't like times/prices, stay at home. Together. "Family time" shouldn't be dependant on geography.
tracybradbury
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My older kids never had holidays during term time but that was mostly due to my son having a lot of illness and he was always playing catch up as it was 
If he had been in good health I might have taken them out for a holiday if their attendance was good and not during critical exam/test times.
My youngest is being home schooled and we are actually taking our first family holiday this September(in 7 years) to Disney World - my older kids, one is working so booked her holiday and my son is missing his first week of college but has be ok'd by the course tutors as it's his 2nd year of a 2 year course!
If he had been in good health I might have taken them out for a holiday if their attendance was good and not during critical exam/test times.
My youngest is being home schooled and we are actually taking our first family holiday this September(in 7 years) to Disney World - my older kids, one is working so booked her holiday and my son is missing his first week of college but has be ok'd by the course tutors as it's his 2nd year of a 2 year course!
cambsno
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But up until recent it was ok to take kids out of school too.
One blanket fits all approach does not work.
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I have 20 people that report to me and require my approval when they request annual leave.
I need to maintain 75% staff levels and there's my first problem - some people have children at school and some don't. The pressure (regardless of schooling rules) is a nightmare.
I also have 4 children and my wife is a teacher - there's my second problem.
My second oldest is primary school and my youngest two are pre school. My eldest suffers with ME and whilst she is at secondary school - she isn't there much so that adds to the scruple.
Right or wrong - if we accept that parents are responsible for their children - then they must be free to make that choice.
I need to maintain 75% staff levels and there's my first problem - some people have children at school and some don't. The pressure (regardless of schooling rules) is a nightmare.
I also have 4 children and my wife is a teacher - there's my second problem.
My second oldest is primary school and my youngest two are pre school. My eldest suffers with ME and whilst she is at secondary school - she isn't there much so that adds to the scruple.
Right or wrong - if we accept that parents are responsible for their children - then they must be free to make that choice.
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I know this isn't what the OP asked, but for me I still find it interesting that people get into 'debates' (not arguments, we aren't arguing, just debating right? 
) about whether we should or shouldn't take kids out of school and if it is right or wrong to fine parents.
Why is there not more pressure being put on holiday companies to make the price of holidays during school holidays more in-line with the rest of the year? It isn't like there isn't competition yet still they get away with the inflated prices - do they all agree between themselves to up the price during school holidays? Why isn't that being challenged more? (and yes, I am one of the people that goes in the school holidays so end up paying the inflated costs - wife works at a school and would never agree to taking our kids out during term time)
) about whether we should or shouldn't take kids out of school and if it is right or wrong to fine parents.Why is there not more pressure being put on holiday companies to make the price of holidays during school holidays more in-line with the rest of the year? It isn't like there isn't competition yet still they get away with the inflated prices - do they all agree between themselves to up the price during school holidays? Why isn't that being challenged more? (and yes, I am one of the people that goes in the school holidays so end up paying the inflated costs - wife works at a school and would never agree to taking our kids out during term time)
OP
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I know this isn't what the OP asked, but for me I still find it interesting that people get into 'debates' (not arguments, we aren't arguing, just debating right?
Why is there not more pressure being put on holiday companies to make the price of holidays during school holidays more in-line with the rest of the year? It isn't like there isn't competition yet still they get away with the inflated prices - do they all agree between themselves to up the price during school holidays? Why isn't that being challenged more? (and yes, I am one of the people that goes in the school holidays so end up paying the inflated costs - wife works at a school and would never agree to taking our kids out during term time)
It's a case of simple supply and demand. The bulk of folk simply take their family holidays in term times so it's good business sense to profit on that. Out with term times hotels are likely to have more spare rooms, airlines more seats so they'll price down to fill their spaces. The savy few will capitalise on this and take their kids out of school
Get the whole supply and demand side of things, but if the government want to stop people taking kids out of school, why not tackle the source of the problem rather than a symptom?
well, I guess that's personal opinion
lot's of arguments for both sides, some would say savy, some would say irresponsible. I just think it is a shame that the argument has to exist in the first place when it could be tackled differently. Do other countries in Europe and the US have the same problem? (genuinely don't know)
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I'm a market forces sort of guy, forcing tour operators to set pricing based in term times is getting a bit to socialist for me. Further more it's hard on those that don't have kids and those who take their holidays to avoid term times so their break is kiddie free. Nothing worse than someone else's sprog making a racket when you're trying to enjoy a meal on holiday.
Sorry, just me probably being a bit stupid and not reading it right, but the 2 parts in your reply seem a bit contradictory to me. In the first part, you seem to say that you don't agree with companies being forced to reign in their prices (get that bit
) even though it should reduce the likelihood that kids are on holiday during term time and the second part seems to me that you don't want kids on holiday during term time because some people without kids go then on purpose (again, get that as well as remember those pre-kids days with fondness in some ways 
).Wouldn't some sort of regulating the cost of holidays out of term time help keep the kid-free holidays during term time more likely?
viv1969
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How can you regulate something that is breaking no rules?
The holiday companies are simply taking advantage of market forces.
That's like saying Hey....toys seem a little more expensive around Christmas time, lets regulate that.
The holiday companies are simply taking advantage of market forces.
That's like saying Hey....toys seem a little more expensive around Christmas time, lets regulate that.
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Yes but if I argue with you I have to take up a contrary position.
viv1969
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How can you regulate something that is breaking no rules?
The holiday companies are simply taking advantage of market forces.
That's like saying Hey....toys seem a little more expensive around Christmas time, lets regulate that.
regulating might not be the right answer, what the answer is I don't know (well above my level of thinking
). But if people complain about a symptom when the cause is not being looked at, it just seems a bit backwards to me. I am probably looking at it too simply in my mind.