Has anybody taken their kids on holiday in term time?

[c1403]

Our school is supposed to be quite strict and never give permission and I think it's because some children have really poor attendance (ruins it for the rest of us)
DH gets his annual leave allocated and has first two weeks of July so I'm going to take DD1 out for a few days. She's in year R has good attendance so far and is excelling already in her phonics, writing and maths.
I think it's really unfair families are penalised for taking time away from school because of a few parents that can't get up in the morning to take their kids to school (my neighbours kids don't go to school if she doesn't get a lift, it's a 15 mins walk!)

 

[Flossie27]

I wouldn't dare take my daughter out of school unless it was for a family funeral or serious family illness. But I am a wimp.

 

[Natsku]

Haven't taken Maria out for a holiday yet but have taken her out for a day/half day a couple of times for various reasons and her teacher has been fine with it. They don't fine here for taking them on holiday during term time but you have to agree it first with the teacher (if it's up to 3 days) or the head teacher (if it's up to 3 months) - a couple of Maria's class mates went on holiday for a week or two during the Autumn term so I'm pretty sure I'll be allowed to take Maria so will likely do it to save money (but will make sure she catches up on missed work)

 

[Bonnie11]

It's he local authority that issues the fines but the school is the one that informs them if children have unauthorised absences so if the school don't say anything to them then you wouldn't get a fine.

We are going to take DD for a week near Christmas to Jamaica to see family. There is no way I'm paying double prices or more to go in the holidays and she is in reception so it's not like she will be missing important exams etc. I think it's down to the parents discretion, if you take your kids out 3/4 times a year for a week then it will add up and they are missing quite a bit but if they have good attendance otherwise then the cultural and life experience they are getting outweighs being a classroom for me. I wouldn't have her missing out on seeing her family for the sake of a few days in class.