| Term-time holiday fines 09:17 - Jan 30 with 3713 views | Zx1988 |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxknlyewlo
What do we make of these, and the 'justifications' given by parents?
I feel like I'm against this sort of behaviour (it's the typical 'a fine merely means it's okay to do it if you're rich enough' sort of thing), but accept that it may be coloured by the fact that, growing up, my parents stuck rigidly to the rules, and would never even have considered taking my sister and I out of school for a term-time holiday.
We never really had foreign holidays, either, because my parents couldn't afford the inflated costs of going abroad during the summer break. There seems to be a pervading sense that foreign holidays are a right rather than a privilege, and that you're somehow having that right taken away from you if all you can afford, otherwise, is a week at your local caravan park. |  |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:24 - Jan 30 with 2798 views | textbackup |
My parents stuck to the rules, mainly as mum worked at the school.
I’ve no issue taking mine out for the odd day or two for a holiday (did 8 days an few years back, but didn’t get the fine due to work shifts at the time and the head teacher was ok with it) Especially primary schools at the end of term, all they do is watch films or colouring in.
The fine is less than what you’d save on the holiday, so would make financial sense to take them out. |  |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:26 - Jan 30 with 2778 views | mutters |
Having seen what some of the children do during school time I would argue going abroad, being exposed to foreign culture is much more beneficial to the children than sitting in a classroom. My daughter spent a week last term (As Christmas approached) playing games, drawing pictures and learning sweet FA.
I have no problem with parents taking kids out of school for the right reason and should be judged on a case-by-case basis
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To add to this, when I was at school (30+ years ago) we had the chance to go to Australia for 3 weeks when I was 10. My parents wrote to the school and informed them and they said it sounded great and were very supportive. They gave me a pack of work to do and the only request they had was that I come back and share my experience with the class / school. [Post edited 30 Jan 9:31]
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:27 - Jan 30 with 2769 views | Reuser_is_God |
When the holiday goes up by more than double in a lot of cases you can see why people will take kids out.
I don’t particularly like doing it but will do so towards end of term when they’re doing feck all anyway. |  |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:30 - Jan 30 with 2709 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
Missing a week of school every year never harmed my education, went on to get 2 degrees. Think far too much is made of it personally. It’s cheaper to holiday in the UK (as I did) outside of school holidays too so the class thing is a bit of a reach (arguably the better off can just pay the extra and take Tarquin abroad outside of term time). | | | |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:31 - Jan 30 with 2694 views | davblue |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:27 - Jan 30 by Reuser_is_God |
When the holiday goes up by more than double in a lot of cases you can see why people will take kids out.
I don’t particularly like doing it but will do so towards end of term when they’re doing feck all anyway. |
as with anything the prices are ridiculous.
We saved about 3 grand going in October 2 days before half term started and missing 3 days at the start of term. School didn't fine us. Both of mine are primary school children, i probably wouldn't do it in secondary school though.
We are staying in the UK this year, because of the amount we have spent on holidays in the last 2 years, feels a lot of money to keep paying out each year. |  | | |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:33 - Jan 30 with 2660 views | Reuser_is_God |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:31 - Jan 30 by davblue |
as with anything the prices are ridiculous.
We saved about 3 grand going in October 2 days before half term started and missing 3 days at the start of term. School didn't fine us. Both of mine are primary school children, i probably wouldn't do it in secondary school though.
We are staying in the UK this year, because of the amount we have spent on holidays in the last 2 years, feels a lot of money to keep paying out each year. |
Yeah we’ve got a week in Cornwall later this year, saved 2k on the accommodation by going in term time.
An absolute no brainer, if we hadn’t done that the kids wouldn’t have had a holiday. | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:35 - Jan 30 with 2611 views | textbackup |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:33 - Jan 30 by Reuser_is_God |
Yeah we’ve got a week in Cornwall later this year, saved 2k on the accommodation by going in term time.
An absolute no brainer, if we hadn’t done that the kids wouldn’t have had a holiday. |
We done Newquay in the school holidays last summer, all in, we’d have been quids in going abroad… and would have got some sun!
Side note, I got a big old roof bag for the luggage if you need to borrow it you’re welcome to. Uppa IP5 [Post edited 30 Jan 9:36]
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:42 - Jan 30 with 2538 views | MattinLondon |
My kids primary school are quite relaxed and allow children to be taken out of school during term-time. But on the condition, that when back at school, the child has to do some of presentation to the rest of their class. Bring in local currency or teach the rest of the class a few words of that countries language. |  | | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:43 - Jan 30 with 2528 views | Reuser_is_God |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:35 - Jan 30 by textbackup |
We done Newquay in the school holidays last summer, all in, we’d have been quids in going abroad… and would have got some sun!
Side note, I got a big old roof bag for the luggage if you need to borrow it you’re welcome to. Uppa IP5 [Post edited 30 Jan 9:36]
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Yeah mad isn’t it.
Ah nice one mate, I may take you up on that! Uppa Kesgrave Blues | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:56 - Jan 30 with 2436 views | textbackup |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:42 - Jan 30 by MattinLondon |
My kids primary school are quite relaxed and allow children to be taken out of school during term-time. But on the condition, that when back at school, the child has to do some of presentation to the rest of their class. Bring in local currency or teach the rest of the class a few words of that countries language. |
That’s exactly as it should be too. Shared learning and all that. The kids get excited to show their friends what they’ve learnt etc | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 09:57 - Jan 30 with 2431 views | textbackup |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:43 - Jan 30 by Reuser_is_God |
Yeah mad isn’t it.
Ah nice one mate, I may take you up on that! Uppa Kesgrave Blues |
If you have a roof rack, my basket might fit on there too.
What a day this is turning into | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 10:13 - Jan 30 with 2352 views | giant_stow |
My only thought is the fines seem a bit steep, especially if you're taking more than one kid out. |  |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 10:18 - Jan 30 with 2315 views | davblue |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:57 - Jan 30 by textbackup |
If you have a roof rack, my basket might fit on there too.
What a day this is turning into |
where was my offer?
If you could commute to Oxfordshire to drop it off, there would be a slab of Carling in it for you. | | | |
| Term-time holiday fines on 10:20 - Jan 30 with 2305 views | itfcjoe |
I'm a tad annoyed this year, as doing it for first time and we've booked 2 weeks away across a half term - but paid extra to ensure only missed 5 days as didn't want to take the P and the school have introduced a new policy and had said it was 'more than 10 sessions [morning and afternoon]' where you got a fine and changed last week to '10 or more' so it catches us
But, it is what it is, we've booked then to go away for my 40th and only real time it worked, if we get fined then it's fair game.....a tad frustrating that the rules have changed after we've booked it but we did so with eyes open.
What I can't stick, and happens at our school in Mum's groups and the like is people who just take them out, then moan about the school clocking it down as 'unauthorised', and now will be fining them - we've had kids go off for 3 weeks straight after Easter holidays with 2 or 3 days back before they head off and then parents go on and on like they are being victimised.
You know what you are doing, you know the rules, if you want to save money then take the punishment and don't pretend you are being harshly dealt with. |  |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 10:22 - Jan 30 with 2276 views | itfcjoe |
| Term-time holiday fines on 09:42 - Jan 30 by MattinLondon |
My kids primary school are quite relaxed and allow children to be taken out of school during term-time. But on the condition, that when back at school, the child has to do some of presentation to the rest of their class. Bring in local currency or teach the rest of the class a few words of that countries language. |
Ours had been but think that is changing this year due to directives from up above | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 10:28 - Jan 30 with 2189 views | Zx1988 |
Some interesting responses here (particularly with no kids here myself), thanks! I do rather like the idea that the kids be given something to do during the time off, be it a work pack or preparing a presentation for their return. And yes, I would agree that little or nothing of substance is missed during the last week of the summer term.
On balance, I think what annoys me about it is the constant bleating to the press, complaining that the fines aren't fair, and trying to argue that using some lira to buy a knock-off Liverpool shirt is a cultural experience.
Without considering how the other side of the deal has deteriorated since I was at school, it's all the social contract isn't it? The state will educate your kids etc., and for your part you need to ensure they attend. | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 10:32 - Jan 30 with 2125 views | ADStephenson |
I think it's fine. Sadly, I don't really get the opportunity as I work in a school so don't get the chance to fly off early. If I did, I would happily take my children away as I think the experience would probably trump what they experience in school over the period. I'm also fortunate in that my children rarely seem to get ill and have time off, so they don't really miss a lot of school throughout the rest of the year. Taking a week off at the end of term is probably an awful lot less time missed than some children have through illness.
With regards to holidays being a privilege rather than a right, my counter-argument would be, do you not deserve nice things because you aren't wealthy?
I say that as someone who had a "holiday" to Calais for less than 24 hours as my only trip abroad before the age of 13, and that was only because my granny had some vouchers for the tunnel... |  |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 10:32 - Jan 30 with 2116 views | RegencyBlue |
| Term-time holiday fines on 10:13 - Jan 30 by giant_stow |
My only thought is the fines seem a bit steep, especially if you're taking more than one kid out. |
Strangely I imagine that’s the deterrent factor! |  | | |
| Term-time holiday fines on 10:37 - Jan 30 with 2076 views | Zx1988 |
| Term-time holiday fines on 10:32 - Jan 30 by ADStephenson |
I think it's fine. Sadly, I don't really get the opportunity as I work in a school so don't get the chance to fly off early. If I did, I would happily take my children away as I think the experience would probably trump what they experience in school over the period. I'm also fortunate in that my children rarely seem to get ill and have time off, so they don't really miss a lot of school throughout the rest of the year. Taking a week off at the end of term is probably an awful lot less time missed than some children have through illness.
With regards to holidays being a privilege rather than a right, my counter-argument would be, do you not deserve nice things because you aren't wealthy?
I say that as someone who had a "holiday" to Calais for less than 24 hours as my only trip abroad before the age of 13, and that was only because my granny had some vouchers for the tunnel... |
I'm in the same sort of camp as you - our annual holiday was a week in my grandparents' caravan at Pakefield. Other than the obligatory Year 7 trip to France, I never left the country until I was 18.
I'd argue that 'nice' is subjective. At the risk of coming across all 'Four Yorkshiremen', the Pakefield holidays are an absolute highlight of my childhood. Aye it were cheap and cheerful, but we was 'appy.
Yes, time off away from work is absolutely a right, but I don't believe that taking your kids to, say, Türkiye is a right - that side of things is, in my mind, a privilege. | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 11:21 - Jan 30 with 1923 views | textbackup |
| Term-time holiday fines on 10:22 - Jan 30 by itfcjoe |
Ours had been but think that is changing this year due to directives from up above |
Yeah it only changed about 3/4 weeks back didn’t it… found the communication about it amongst the 7273748 other parent mail notifications 😂 | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 11:22 - Jan 30 with 1918 views | textbackup |
| Term-time holiday fines on 10:18 - Jan 30 by davblue |
where was my offer?
If you could commute to Oxfordshire to drop it off, there would be a slab of Carling in it for you. |
Tell you what, I want to go to the pub that J.Clarkson owns, that’s Oxford way isn’t it?
I’ll drop it off en route | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 11:28 - Jan 30 with 1900 views | itfcjoe |
| Term-time holiday fines on 11:21 - Jan 30 by textbackup |
Yeah it only changed about 3/4 weeks back didn’t it… found the communication about it amongst the 7273748 other parent mail notifications 😂 |
Yeh, a pain as already booked but is what it is
I’m looking to seeing what they are having for their special lunch on Tuesday, and the Tuesday after that, and the one after that….. | |
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| Term-time holiday fines on 11:29 - Jan 30 with 1881 views | davblue |
| Term-time holiday fines on 11:22 - Jan 30 by textbackup |
Tell you what, I want to go to the pub that J.Clarkson owns, that’s Oxford way isn’t it?
I’ll drop it off en route |
It is yeah about another 45 mins from me. | | | |
| Term-time holiday fines on 11:30 - Jan 30 with 1845 views | Reuser_is_God |
| Term-time holiday fines on 11:28 - Jan 30 by itfcjoe |
Yeh, a pain as already booked but is what it is
I’m looking to seeing what they are having for their special lunch on Tuesday, and the Tuesday after that, and the one after that….. |
I’m always checking the menu, just in the hope I haven’t got to make a fecking packed lunch in the morning. [Post edited 30 Jan 11:31]
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| Term-time holiday fines on 11:32 - Jan 30 with 1816 views | textbackup |
| Term-time holiday fines on 11:28 - Jan 30 by itfcjoe |
Yeh, a pain as already booked but is what it is
I’m looking to seeing what they are having for their special lunch on Tuesday, and the Tuesday after that, and the one after that….. |
It’s the spelling and the mistakes in dates that get me.
Few more months and we are high schoolers only… so hopefully the ParentMail will be a bit more manageable 😂 | |
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