The only thing that anyone can say for certain is that childhood does not last forever. Everyone has a lifetime that they can learn in, but only one shot at being a child, and family holidays - whether by a pool or up a mountain - are part of this. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that a child's education is badly affected by a holiday. The government are constantly going on about the "hard core middle classes" who are taking their children out of school but these children are all doing very well at school. As a teacher and a parent I think that the whole idea that holidays in termtime are bad for children is a myth. Maybe taking a child out just before GCSEs is a bad thing but certainly not otherwise. The children that lose out are those who are constantly missing odd days for no real reason, not those whose parents choose to spend quality family time with them on holiday.

As a teacher in an International school I have many students who take time out for trips to see relatives, holidays etc and currently have 2 students taking 2 and 4 weeks respectively away from school. As these are the 2 most academically able students in my class I am confident they will cope with the additional workload when they return to school - one is on safari in Africa and the other is visiting his Dad in Canada. What I wouldn't give for the opportunity!

What gets my goat is the families who take days off school - because Mum didn't wake up on time this morning - or - there was an 'r' in the month. Having totted up my attendence register it seems these are often the same students who miss time at school for sporting events (sanctioned by the school) and who are the ones struggling in class. When added up these students are missing more time from school than the ones taking sactioned holidays. Who's priorities are these?

I absolutely agree with the person who said 2 weeks lying by a pool doesn't count as educational but can also sympathise with those who choose to take advantage of lower prices during term time, particularly for primary school children. As long as time out of school doesn't interfere with assignments blah, blah.

I can't fill in the survey because I'm a mum-to-be but will have some big thinking to do later on as half my family is in NZ and half in the UK. Think will be writing interesting letters to Principals justifying overseas holidays.

Even if I were not a teacher it just would not enter my head to take my child on holiday during term time. But lots of parents seem to do it. A holiday is a luxury not an essential. Of course there are exceptions and some holidays are educational but having spoken to pupils on their return it is clear that most are not.

As for school trips, they need to be cleared by the teachers whose lessons are going to be affected and non educational ones tend not to get cleared so have to happen in holidays. We also have trip free zones when no trips or time out for staff is allowed. With the growth of modular exams the time when trips are allowed is shrinking. Having said that we do run a lot of trips but they are hard work. I have just returned from one and the students working day started at 8.30 and endede at 5pm with another hour of work after tea. They also have to catch up when they get back with other subjects, some had taken work with them to keep up to date.

ps to reply to another comment, yes it IS the teaching staff's responsibility to sort the parents out on an individual basis, and say if there's an issue - e.g. parents who stay in bed on Mondays etc - but that's a different issue that can be taken up with the head teachers.

I also think it's the parents' responsibility to be involved with the school and feedback some of the effort - so after our hols, we will take in photos, do a talk etc. Also help the kids with reading and artwork, and help take them swimming. It's give and take.

I know a lot of parents can't do that, work etc of course. But I guess I'm just sayign that where teachers and parents combine to bring up children, the relationship between teachers and parents shoudl be a flexible, adult relatinship not all government ruled... (don't get me started on the school rules about what to put in lunch boxes do they not KNOW how much sugar is in yoghurts and how a biscuit could even be better for them... harumph... oh lord soap box alert shut me up... byeee)

I believe we should be allowed to take our children out whenever we want. I don't think holidays are the cause of the main educational issues in the UK.
Holidays can be amazing life enhancing experiences and can teach the child a wealth of things; we focus on things our children would not do at school or nursery, e.g. photography, fishing, sailing, kayaking, wildlife, walking, and so on. We also (at the school's behest) fill in a daily scrapbook.
We are parents and should not be treated as if we are children ourselves, waiting to be naughty. Most parents have a responsible and intuitive attitude to the education of their children. The rules are condescendingly strict.
If my child were at a critical stage of education or struggling at school, then a holiday would be a bad idea and we wouldn't go. If he is doing well but is tired and frustrated, and our family needed a break, we would go. It's my job to judge. I know him best, not the school.
I DO believe we have a team responsibility to the school and excessive holidays will disrupt teaching and be unfair to the teacher - so my comments are to be comprehended as 'holidays in moderation'. One holiday here or there doesn't hurt and can potentially be fabulous.
My eldest is five, to put in context - the age where, by the end of term, he's tired, pink, sweaty and emotionally labile. So next week, he will be fishing, doing art (beach pebble painting art) and helping train a puppy, with his younger brother and his dad and I. That's the best place for him.
When he's 16, he'll be swotting with the others, and I'll be holding the remote control!
Will be interested in what the survey says!
Best wishes all x

'Policy isn't MAKING parents lie about absences, as someone suggested. Parents' unwillingness to pay the market rate for the holiday they have CHOSEN makes them lie!'

Doesn't that depend on the school?

here my nboys have to take AL to appear in a community event (a sort of theatrical thingy) in the towmn we come from, and to attend therapy if private at decision of NHS.

I dount the carnival season would move their 30 plus performances for ds's, yet one day a year enables them to make these performances (all others on a weekend( and to aprticipate in the fundraising, building etc- hugely beneficial

As for the therapy- well we'll go whatever.

When dh finishes tudyng his work will be linked to the festical season- so summer simply will be a no-no, that and main holiday occasions such as Chrostmas (stage lighting). I think family time is important (esp for a large family of boys with their dad)

the local LEA also ahs a policy on its site that dentist appts that are not emergency cou8nt as AL also, given that a dentist is akin to gold dust that seems silly- you take what you get

I wonder how many days are taken on holiday or for important things? E uin ds1's class who take a day a month when her dad returns for his 2 days off work so she can meet him at the airport etc

I have done it. Only problam is that we don't have any Sainsbury's within hundreds of miles..

I'm taking DD for a holdiay during the last week of term. She says they won't be doing anything important anyway.

I have taken her in term time before and its hasn't has any ill effect on her education.

As a single parent I would have struggled to pay school holiday prices and we wouldn't have gone anywhere.

School allow 10 days no quibble. She has been away doing outdoor ed with a club not organised by school without the need to mark it as holiday as school said "it's beneficial to their development".

I won't take her out next year as it's the final one and she need to study hard.

Message withdrawn

Hi anniemac, am taking DD out of school for 2 weeks over Xmas precisely so she can go to NZ for the exact same reasons.