Are parents, the proverbial hanky on the rope.?

[Manwithnoname]

Taking children out of school for a holiday = a far cheaper holiday but a fine can be imposed. (plus other threats ?)

Taking children on holiday during term time = rip off travel agents who are allowed to get away with it. Non government intervention = couldn`t care less.

All in all its the parents who are the victims of it all. Agree/Disagree

[sherrardk]

If you are lucky enough to afford any kind of holiday (not necessarily abroad) then I think you should take it. The amount of actual learning that takes place in any given week in school is not that great (excluding sixth form). Families spending time together as a group is far more important. Provided that the children work hard to catch up on any work missed then I cannot see the problem.

[New Judge]

Your logic suggests that school is not that important, sherrardk. ("The amount of actual learning that takes place in any given week in school is not that great...").

How do the absentees know what has been missed unless the teachers take time out from the rest of the class to inform them? How is their "hard work to catch up" checked? As I said, families have a quarter of the year (and every weekend) to spend as a family group.

[Manwithnoname]

Well said NJ If you don't like living in a capitalist society bugger off to Russia.

Which part count? that is after you have stopped licking NJ`s boots

Holidays are more expensive during school holidays because the demand is greater. thats a Fosters poor excuse to over hype the prices judge

[flip_flop]

I have two young kids - 7 and 2 - and I've taken the older one out of school for a fortnight. It was in her reception class and I didn't think missing two weeks of colouring-in would be too disasterous to her future.

We took this decision because the holiday we wanted to go on in June was £2,500 - the price one month later was £6,000.

That was then - we wouldn't do it now as she would miss an awful lot in two weeks.

I agree that it is perfectly acceptable - bloody frustrating and annoying, granted - but nonetheless perfectly acceptable for holiday companies to increase their prices as demand increases.

[Old_Geezer]

I think folk should know what they are taking on when they opt to have children, since it is little validation for not obeying the education rules.

But I'm not overly anti it, it;s a minor thing, but I'd be less concerned about a week off in school term if it wasn't for the fact that it is unfair onthe others kids getting 1 week less holiday. Maybe if the parents paid for private tuition during the normal holiday to compensate?

[Booldawg]

NJ 'Finally, if you really want any further convincing, look at the number of parents of children from State schools who take their children out of school (cost to parents: £0) and then the number of parents of children from fee-paying schools who do so (cost to parents £150-£600pw). You will find that the former outnumber the latter by about 25 to 1.'

Hardly surprising NJ. I should imagine that parents who can afford a privately funded education dont have to make the consideration 'do I take my children out of school'. They can afford to pay full whack.

[emmie]

there is no easy answer to this, parents need a holiday as do children. And i agree that its incredibly expensive in UK, i could have had two foreign holidays to the one i took in UK. But its the bank holidays where you get hit the most, because travel companies have a captive market. I enquired about a flight over a christmas break, and the fares were treble what they would be a few week later.

[kinell]

people with kids are always whingeing......

what about other people who regularly are asked to subsidise your activities?

half price or even free kids holiday places? they still take up a seat on a plane...

kids eat free restaurants? do they eat magic food?

i avoid places that entice herds of anklebiters whose parents think i might enjoy the racket and mess of children running around

[starone]

When I was young I missed school for three weeks, through illness. During that time fractions were introduced. Although I caught up in a way, I have never fully understood them. This is what happens when a child misses something. It is not a good idea.

[Old_Geezer]

That was 3 weeks starbuck, and I'm disappointed that the teacher didn't keep you back one afternoon after school to ensure you had the vital bits. Surely wouldn't have taken long to explain and set homework. Perhaps teaching wasn't a vocation for them.

[jno]

it's other people's kids who'll be paying your pension. Treat 'em nice.

[ummmm]

Well said jno...

[hc4361]

So Manwithnoname, you think teaching your kids that rules don't matter, and it is okay to break them if you suits you to, is a good thing?

I and all the other tax payers are providing your child's education - hope you are fined heavily.

[emmie]

those same children getting jobs in the future might well be a miracle, so not sure who will be paying into the pension pot. And agree to some extent about the children on holidays, places to be avoided like the plague. I have always found children in Italy/France, and most other European destinations far better behaved, but then again, that goes for the adults too, who set the example

[Booldawg]

fined heavily for taking 5 days off school for a foreign holiday?

I'm sure they have around 5 'inset days' a year - teacher training days which I'm sure they could incorporate in the 15-16 weeks a year holiday time they get. Tell me, does the childs education matter then?

[johnk]

The average package holidaymaker sees nothing at all of any other culture except some sanitized anglisised folk ding or soe such dross. To see another culture you need to be in amongst and not isolated in some hotel complex. It is far more important for a child to get a good education than to go on holiday every year. Holidays are not essential, no child will die from the lack of one.

[Booldawg]

and it doesnt take much to pack a few key stage books in your suitcase. 15 minutes of 1 on 1 reading a day is far much more than they get in the average state school. Education can come on holiday with you, its up to the parents.

[Manwithnoname]

HC So Manwithnoname, you think teaching your kids that rules don't matter, and it is okay to break them if you suits you to, is a good thing?

I and all the other tax payers are providing your child's education - hope you are fined heavily

What the hell are you on about, the theme is about rip off Britain & using kids as a lever.

& you personaly pay for my kids education what crap you spew out at times

[hc4361]

Who pays your child's education then? I take it he or she goes to tax subsidised state school, funded by the taxpayer.

You can't blame the travel agents - you try booking direct and see if you can get flights and accommodation any cheaper. Don't forget many hotels and self catering complexes put on extra activities for children during school holidays. At the complex I stay at, a lifeguard is provided for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week during peak season, the pool is closed during low season, as an example.

You are teaching your kids that it is acceptable to break the rules. You need to teach them that if there isn't the money for it, they can't have it. I'm sure school trips abroad are cultural, educational and relatively cheap.

Single people often have to pay a hefty supplement if they holiday alone at any time of the year. Should the government intervene on their behalf too? I can't see what the government can do about the cost of foreign holidays anyway.

Holidays are luxuries.