Have Your Kids Ever Missed School for a Holiday?

I haven't myself because we haven't been away but my friend does it she pays the fine because it's cheaper to go a few days before the holidays start

I don't because an education is important. I'd rather go to a cheaper place on holiday and my children have a good education to set them up for life

No but I get why people do it

No as I work only get term time off .so don't have choice.

i have taken my kids out of junior school for a hoilday saved 500 pound on the hoilday filled in the hoilday form got it signed off by the headteacher it was before they brought fines

I can’t as I work in a school kitchen so we have to pay for expensive holidays as we can only go away when the kids are off

Yes I did last year I don’t think a few days off is bad family time and making memories is important to

Yesl have taken my grandson to the Maldives, he wend snorkeling, scuba diving, he saw lots of creatures up close and personal,he learned alot of stuff about different cultures and wild life, he saw lots of different fish while snorkeling and diving, so he had a very educational holiday experience, so it was more than worth taking him out of school for 2 weeks, especially after being locked up for almost 2 years with Covid!!!.

100% worth it. A few years ago it was over £500 cheaper to go 2 days earlier. Even with the school fine, it was a lot cheaper.

I take me kids during school term and pay the £60 fine as the airline tickets are so much cheaper during term.

We did it every year for 2 weeks. Ours are in their 30's now so we did not have to pay a fine back then. It did not do any harm as they are both very intelligent with good jobs. They are being educated whilst learning about other countries in my opinion.

I haven't done it before but I would consider doing it. My kids have really good attendance.

They can learn so many things on holidays in real life through different experiences so whenever its good go for it, fixed education can be catched up later on

I did, although having to pay fine for three kids for just staying extra one week wasn't worth it. Since we paid the fine it would have been better to stay extra month. But like other parents, I didn't want my children to miss out on essential education as well.

I think a lot of pupils are playing catch up after the pandemic with parents teaching so not a good idea at the moment.

We only did once. The school wasnt happy but we didnt get a fine or anything. It didnt make any difference to his schooling as it wasnt in any exam crucial time so would have been really annoyed if we did get fined.

Yes

Schools can take them away why can't parents some kids would never see the sea if had to go when it's expensive and there is plenty of educational opportunities where kids learn while having fun. The amount of history around our coasts, Lots to see and learn in the countryside some kids have never seen a cow or a lamb. The local primary will shut for any election. It also gives privileged to the more well off that can afford to take holidays in school holidays in term time less well off can go on holding for about £100 for family off peak in a caravan opposed to £1500

We have as it cheaper to go away and pay the fine

I’m going back before fines but I always took my children away in school time and it never did them any harm

I have never done it before but am seriously considering it because one of my children as sensory processing disorder and really struggles with the crowds and getting through the airport even with special assistance it was a challenge. I think being able to take him at a time less crowded and much quieter as well as less hot would be worth paying the fine for. Thanks for this debate

1 of my biggest pet hates SamGoodship . In 2017 when I won a large amount on the postcode lottery I wanted to take my family to Florida and I booked when I wanted to book and the usual threats of you will be fined and I said u fine me and I will deliver the fine money in pennies .

I wasn't fined and to me it proved my point which is its just an extension of ripping us off at every turn .

I always book holidays when the schools are in as once there was a teacher training day and all 3 of my kids were at the same school . My wife and me were off work so we went to our local theme park Drayton manor and low and behold we saw 2 teachers and 2 teacher assistants at the park with there families and I swore that day I would never be told when I took holidays for me and my family .

If they do choose the fine route then even if you do get fined and u add the fine money to the cost of the holiday u will still be saving money .

I have never had to I completely understand why people do. I think if a child's attendence is great then a few days don't hurt. X

Only when they were at primary. Once they get to secondary school their education is more important than a cheap holiday. If we couldn't afford to go to Florida, Australia or Hawaii in the school holidays, then we wouldn't go at all. We'd go somewhere cheaper that we could afford instead. I can't bear the entitlement nowadays when everyone thinks they should be allowed on expensive holidays they can't afford.

No he hasn't, for a number of reasons. The main one being we haven't been on holiday since before he was born. But the 2nd being we are both teachers, so can only during school holidays anyway.

Yes I have with in this country. To visit family that live 7 hours away . Won't do it next year case my eldest is getting older now. School to inportant

Nothing much happens on the last day before the holidays and if you get a fine it's still cheaper in the long run