Term-time holidays
Are children missing out?
New reasearch reveals that two in three parents say they would take their children on holiday during school term-time. Researchers found that 2,000 parents claim strict rules set by schools haven’t discouraged them from booking a trip outside the set term breaks. And over 35% said that the higher prices during the peak months mean they simply can’t afford a holiday at any other time. Almost half of them believed that taking a week of school wouldn’t affect their child’s learning.
- Sarah, from Hills and Daffodils, managed to get authorised absence for a week’s holiday, and pointed out that some schools are more flexible than others.
- Tanya said she would do it if the trip didn’t interfere with SATs and other exams. She said “Experiences are an education.”
- Some, like Melissa, believe that taking a couple of days to add on at the beginning or end of a school holiday shouldn’t be a problem, and her school have been supportive.
- Others have taken much more substantial breaks in term time, for very specific reasons. Christina says she took her daughter away with no qualms: “My husband was overseas for her bday. She was crushed he was missing it so I took her on vacation that week.” She also planned a family holiday after an unsettling house move, when they had some much-needed family time to adjust.
If you do take your children out of school for a term-time holiday, will you be honest with your school? Other twitter users told me that they’d rather pretend their child was sick, than be honest and ask for a term-time holiday they know they’ll be refused – and be judged for it.
So just how do you pay it? Here’s what the Space In Your Case team had to say:
- Alison says: It’s funny because before I had my daughter, I used to massively judge anyone who took their kids out of school for a holiday. “How can they put a holiday before their child’s education?” I’d think. But now I have a four year old who will be starting school soon, I have a different perspective. I still think, on the whole, that school education is more important than holiday fun. Of course it is. But I think that if a child is on track at school & it’s the end of term so lessons are winding down a bit, there’s no harm in taking them out of school for a few days. Obviously it’s about being sensible though. Taking an older child out of school when they’re studying for their exams is a bad idea. As is taking four holidays a year in term time. I think it’s all about bring sensible.
And with prices of holidays being the way they are, some families literally can’t afford to go away during school holidays. At the end of the day, though, I don’t blame holiday companies for increasing the prices during holidays – it’s just simple supply and demand after all. So I think it’s up to us as parents to use our judgement on what’s right for our child and their education and what’s right for our family and our time together.” - Katie sees the value in experiences beyond the school classroom: This is something that has been in my thoughts a lot recently. We have been going through the school application process and will soon find out what school my daughter will go to in September. While I know she will thrive and enjoy school, it has got me thinking about the impact of school in their lives. It is one of the most important things in their young lives, of course it is, and like Alison I wouldn’t dream of taking an older child out of school during the critical exam studies. But while they are young, I am starting to think that the odd missed day here and there, isn’t such a bad thing. Life is for living, and surely you can offer a child so much more in the life experiences you would give them by taking them to a new place and having adventures? Plus having a look at the prices in school holidays, you can see why families feel like they have to do it every now and again- I think it’s a real shame that the prices fluctuate that much. Yes it’s peak time and companies need to make a profit, but it’s a tricky dilemma for parents.
- Penny, a former teacher, thinks schools are put in a difficult position: What I find hard is that schools are assessed on their attendance, which makes me feel (rightly) guilty that term time holidays could be affecting their reputation. When parents work with schools and there is open discussion, I think travel can be really beneficial, but I feel the new rules have closed the lines of dialogue somewhat.
What’s interesting is that the research found that only 16% of parents have changed their approach to term-time holidays since schools started issuing fines; most understand the importance of education, but describe the new fines as ‘a step too far.’ Travelling is as good as learning, according to 31% of mums and dads, who insisted that their children would still gain an education due to being on holiday. And 60% said going abroad in term-time instead boosts their family’s mood during winter, and prevents burn-out in their children.
So maybe it’s not as cut and dried as the time taken during the school term? Could schools (and government) take into consideration the nature of a break, and allow flexibility for a trip that will enhance a child’s life experience?
Tell us what you think. Have you ever taken your child out of school for a break, and if so, why? Maybe you’ve been fined by your school for taking term-time holidays? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
This is a great article and I can see it from both points of view but one aspect people seem to ignore is what about the teachers? My fiance is a teacher and we don’t have kids yet but he can’t take time off in term time. We have to pay peak prices to go away and I dread to think what it will cost us when we do eventually have a family of our own. What would parents think if their child’s teacher suddenly wasn’t there for a week as they were off on holiday?
I just wish prices would level out a bit more instead of being drastically inflated in school holidays.
I think that’s the main argument against it for me, but then maybe teachers AND children should be allowed a maximum amount of time off during term time for an affordable holiday? There are plenty of supply teachers in my children’s classes already for various events and planned activity, so it could be made to happen.
that would be so good – say 1 week leave a year for holidays or family time.
If only it were so simple….
As children, my mum could never afford to take us abroad, so holidays were always in the UK, staying at friends’ caravans or with relatives, or maybe a cottage going away with other friends. So always in school holidays.
I do think too much emphasis is put on foreign holidays being a life essential for everyone, and that everyone should have a proper holiday, and it feels like a lot of the arguments are for people having to have a holiday. That’s not true, it’s still a luxury for most people especially if paying the prices in school holidays. Pre-children, I’d always have said that if you can’t afford a holiday, you can’t go, or you scale back plans until you can afford to go.
Now I’ve got a child, I still kind of have that view (having been brought up that way). However I do think that if a child is on track, doing well, has generally good attendance, isn’t off sick for weeks of the year and it’s not exam time, then why not. My mum always got us to do a holiday scrapbook while we were away, so if you’re taking the child out, then give them a challenge to do and a presentation back to class on what they learnt/saw when they get back to school. In primary school I can’t believe it would disrupt things too much.
At secondary school I’d be less likely to do so, unless for just a couple of days one end of a school holiday.
But, one thing I’d not anticipated was marrying a farmer. That means no holidays during the summer (harvest), none at Easter (lambing and calving) and none at Christmas (possible calving, but just bad time of year for weather and working). There’s a reason why so many farmers get married in May or end Sept/October, because they’re the only times they can go on holiday. So for us, we would never be able to have a decent family holiday if restricted to school holidays.
N starts school in September and our usual time to get away is early October if at all. But this year I need to try and persuade the OH to come away in May in the hope of getting a good holiday in before N starts. Then I guess we’ll be at the liberty of the school and what they’ll allow.
I suppose there are all sorts of jobs that restrict the times people can go away on holiday. And that’s a matter of choice. Also, as you say, holidays are a luxury rather than an essential for so many people, that it’s difficult to generalise. Perhaps this is the modern dilemma!
Definitely. I like the idea suggested by someone else, having a week’s allowance for children and teachers…but I’d base that on children having good attendance, working hard, behaving appropriately the rest of the time. I definitely think that taking 2 weeks out isn’t acceptable in one chunk of time.
Let’s face it, some children or teachers have more than a week off ill, so a week’s holiday for someone who’s rarely ill or does their work as expected shouldn’t make a difference in a non-exam year.
I think your point about foreign holidays is a good one! I do think the more travel kids can do, the better, but it’s not a life essential 😉
Agreed. Anything that gets kids out of their normal lifestyle and experiencing something new is good…could be at home. I know (apart from my abismal french language skills – only went to France at 6th form to help practice!)) that I didn’t miss going abroad as a child. But it’s very different nowadays with a foreign holiday seen more as the norm.
as a parent with one in nursery school and one recently starting reception I can see both sides of the argument.
Having said that – I just won’t take my children out of school for a holiday.
When I was working my job only allowed me term time holidays – I just accepted that.
I want my children to know that school hours are important, we can’t just skip days or indeed weeks. It’s hugely important to me they understand that school is important and they respect the rules set by the school.
By taking them out of school to save money, I’m saying it’s ok to break the rules.
I do understand and agree with many points raised in your post, but for me? Our family? It’s a no. We’ll always go when its school break.
Those are good points Fi, and certainly there’s a message that as parents we need to uphold to our children. I suppose the balance is in allowing a little flexibility to those who manage it respectfully, whilst ensuring attendance from those who don’t. It’s a tough one. We did take one holiday to Florida, in a year when neither of the children had SATs, at the end of a term. But then my children don’t ever miss a day of school unless they’re really unwell, they go to the dentist in their own time, I’ve never signed them in late, and unless they’re too ill to watch TV, I ask for work from their teachers so they can catch up while they’re off. I don’t think they’re under any illusion 😉
I understand both sides of this argument as a parent and as a teacher / governor
David and I always holiday in the UK, it is our choice
We like to explore the country that we live in with our small children
We have years ahead of us to travel abroad when they are old enough to appreciate it
At the moment they are just as happy if not more in a Kent woodland than on a tropical beach
Whether families choose to holiday in UK or abroad I think schools / LEAs should give consideration to circumstance
I do believe school and education are important but I believe a child can be educated out of the classroom
We go to Coombe Mill for Tilda’s birthday, her birthday falls in term time, I will ask the school every year to let our children come away with us that week
I will ensure they are learning with us and revising for exams at exam times
But the value of that time together as a family will always be more important than what they might cover that week in school
It is not always about money and the best learning does not always happen in school
Thanks Jennie, that’s really interesting. You’re right that older children appreciate more unusual trips much more than youngsters. And yet, by enforcing this rule, it’s only the well-off families that can give their children that experience. Although I suppose there’s also an argument for young people having those experiences once they’re finished with school.
You’re right though, sometimes there is a need for family time that is priceless and it’s a shame if that can’t be factored for a sensible and responsible family.
I think this is a good example of when it’s important for a family to go away during term time, Jennie. I think schools should judge each case individually, rather than have a blanket ban / fine for taking kids out of school. Thanks for your point of view.
Absolutely.
Did it in 2009 to take the kids to India for almost a month, where they gained far more than they missed out on, all that making crappy easter bonnets etc. etc.. My eldest had exams after we returned so being the cruel parents we are we took practice exam papers with us and between safariis she did tests.
Passed all her exams with higher than expected results.
Ahh that’s fascinating! I love that you did your trip to India – that’s the kind of once-in-a-lifetime trip that can inspire a love of travel for life in a child. Of course, travel is what we’re all about here, but I think if there’s a way for children to experience the wider world it is immensely beneficial to them. And of course a lot of that is going to be down to cost, as well as motivation. And currently the biggest influencer of that is time of year.
Plus that’s what a responsible parent would do – any time my kids aren’t at school, when others are, I’m constantly aware of the need to keep them focused on their education where I can. Well done to your girl!
Out of interest Kev, did you get authorisation from your school, or did you just go?
We got permission to go from the two different Heads but that was back in 2009, before the ridiculousness of charging/fining was introduced. The Heads had no issue, realised it was very beneficial to the kids’ experiences and ultimately were envious of their forthcoming travels.
The kids were 8 and 11 at the time, when we went again two years later – on another once-in-a-lifetime holiday 🙂 – things were a little different, with the eldest being in Secondary. This time we went in August but my wife was in a school-oriented job so going outside of July/August wasn’t a possibility.
Not sure whether or not to try and take the youngest – now 14 – out of school for next year’s proposed trip but ideally would love to as wildlife parks aren’t open between June-October.
For info the cost of living is so cheap in India that a four week trip to India works out cheaper than a two week villa stay in Europe, including all the food etc..
Yes, I think it gets more tricky as they get older and exams kick in. But so impressed by your trips. And your school’s attitude.
I have 4 children aged 10, 8, 6 and 1. The older boys are at 2 different schools and will be at 3 different schools when my oldest goes to high school in September. Firstly, the schools all hve slightly different holidays which means that if we go away, it’s very hard to find a time that matches all their school holidays. The older boys’ school saves up all their teacher training days and has a ‘bonus’ week off in June meaning we only need permission to take our other son out of school. Secondly, our 3rd son who is 6 has disabilities including severe autism. This impacts our holidays in 2 ways. We are impacted financially as my husband has to work part time so he can do his school run while I do the other children, and I only earn carer’s allowance. This means that we do not have the kind of money needed to take a school holiday trip. For example, we are going to center parcs in June for £399 but the week before which is half term costs £999 which is completely unfeasable for families like ours. Also, because of his autism, he gets very very stressed in crowded and busy situations which means we generally stay near to home in the school holidays. Luckily, our schools have been very understanding to our situation.
The best thing would be if parents and schools could all be compassionate and understanding to each other. Every family is different with all kinds of varying factors influencing when they might go on holiday. I would hate to think that a low income family should miss out on going away because it is term time whereas a more affluent family would be able to have a lovely holiday. Each case is different.
I think that’s the shocker Hannah. Difference in price can sometimes be more than double, and families find that hard to stomach. I do understand why many parents who could afford to take holidays before school became a factor, want to continue to do so. I agree, it would be great if schools could treat individual students on an individual basis, and some schools seem to manage that well.
I think it depends on a lot of factors. I wouldn’t just take my children out of school for a ‘jolly’ but as a family we like to visit museums, historical landmarks etc so if there can be an educational element to the holiday and it’s not smack bang in the middle of term time then we would consider it. Having children who go to school in two different counties actually means that we have already had to do so otherwise we couldn’t go on holiday at all but we spoke to the school and they were ok with it. We would tend to push a holiday as close to the end of a school term as possible too when the schoolwork has started to make way for games days anyway.
It’s good to hear that some schools are able to flex according to circumstance.
Yes, I agree with you on the end of term point. Schools and teachers are often winding down and kids can spend a lot of time watching films or doing ‘fun’ activities.
We never took our children out of school because we thought it would give them a casual view of education.
One of the most significant stages of our younger son’s education was when my husband gave up weekend time to revise KS2 science (and maths) with him ready for his SATS. He got 100% in both science papers and never looked back.
With our elder son, the school decided to put on a big performance with other schools scheduling all-day rehearsals on the lead-up to KS2 SATS. So we took him out of school on those days and taught him ourselves.
Which leads me to say that while the government demands that parents keep their children in school, teachers should make sure they are keeping their side of the bargain … making best use of every school hour, along with not striking in term-time.
I believe that is essential for parents to reinforce the importance of education throughout their children’s school days and on into tertiary eduaction. There will be rewards later in life for all the holidays taken in the busy school holidays. The most important of which is to see your children flourish into confident adults with the benefit of a good education behind them.
Thanks Rosie, I think it’s massively important that children respect the ethos of going to school every day and getting a good education. I think the thing that bothers me most about term-time absence is the days off that are for nothing in particular, or for a sniffle. I wonder whether that compares to an incredible trip, especially if the child has to produce some work to show back at school about their holiday. When we did it, our teacher gave my daughter an empty work book, and asked her to fill it with some great descriptive writing of her experiences, because she knew that was something she could do, and needed to stretch herself on. It really made her think about why she was away, and the responsibility she had.
I’m certainly planning to take my daughter out of school if needed when the time comes – not because I don’t value her education (I think it’s hugely important) but I genuinely don’t believe a small amount of time makes a different if attendance/performance is good otherwise. I think the issue is the lack of flexibility – I really don’t understand what the problem was with the previous system where heads could grant up to 10 days.
That way no-one misses huge amounts, they can base the decision on the individual child and family, and their circumstances – otherwise a primary school age child missing a single day at the start/end of term is treated exactly the same as someone whose parents are suggesting a fortnight just before GCSEs.
As school holiday prices subsidise the what companies charge for the rest of the year, they could never simply reduce prices without raising them at other times – it’s not that school holidays are so high, it’s that demand is lower at other times so prices are drastically reduced. Balancing them out isn’t a sensible business strategy for them, however unfair it is for parents, so I very much doubt that’s about to change.
That’s a good point to note. It’s never simple is it, and holiday companies are running a business at the end of the day. I also liked the 10 day flex. We only used it once. I suppose it is more work for the schools but it seems much fairer and more sensible.
I wouldn’t take my children out in term time as I think it sends the message that we can pick and choose which school rules we follow. What are the people who pretend their child is ill doing when the child goes back, by the way? Telling them to lie to teachers and their friends and say they were ill? Telling them not to mention their holiday?
In exceptional circumstances (like a bereavement) then I think it’s fine but not for a trip to a holiday park or Disney or similar.
It’s also worth remembering that attendance rules are in place to protect kids whose parents might take them out of school to care for a sibling or to work. We all need to abide by and support these policies so we don’t make it easier for people less discerning than us to neglect their children’s education.
Your last point is a really good one Eleanor, and I hope it doesn’t happen to many kids, but you’re right, if it protects a child from other stresses it’s a good rule. I just wish heads were able to know their families and exercise discretion. But it’s probably not that simple.
We have recently taken our children (9 and 12) out for school for 1 day. Prior to this we have taken them out in 2012 and 2013 for 1 week before May Half Term to go to Disneyworld for 2 weeks. I have always been honest with the school as lets face it you cannot tell your children ‘oh you were ill and never went to Disneyworld’. I would not expect them to lie. When I was chatting with our head the other week he explained that it would go down as unauthorised but he understands that life has to be lead. He told me to go away and have a great time… which we did. If my children had poor attendance and were doing poorly at school I would think twice about taking them out. But they both do well and for me family time is really important.
I agree, I couldn’t tell them to lie – they’d rat me out immediately 😉
I think realistically the main issue is holiday prices. If holidays were a standard price throughout the year then everyone would be happy to take holidays during school holidays and would keep the kids in school during term time. Personally, you can’t really put a value on a child’s education and so I don’t think I’d take a child out of school in term time purely for a holiday – if we want a holiday that badly we’ll go in the school holidays x
Cost is probably the main motivation for most people isn’t it? It’s so interesting to hear different persepctives on this though – such varied responses!
Love this discussion because it always seems to get people so hot under the collar 😉 Everyone decides for themselves and what suits their particular family at the end of the day though. We are soon to take 2 weeks off in term time, naughty us, but actually not for money reasons at all, it will cost us the same as if we had travelled at Easter. We are doing it for that once in a lifetime ‘fun’ trip, so sorry, it’s not much about the learning. Although who’s to say what we will learn out there?! We picked the time as it will be less busy, and for us with a child with autism that will make the biggest difference.
On another note, at the age of 9 I spent 6 months out of school myself, living on an oil tanker moored off the Bahamas with my parents whilst my Dad was working. It was definitely frowned upon by the school, but as my mum was a primary teacher she made sure we had plenty of ‘projects’ to do 🙂 I don’t think it damaged me in the short or long run… but then again, who’s to say? I might have ended up at Oxbridge if it wasn’t for that gap in my learning?! 😉
Ah Steph what an adventure! And yes, there are lots of reasons why parents might choose not to go on holiday during school breaks. Which is why I think common sense is worth exercising on the school’s part.
Married to someone who works in a school, I have the same issue as other people above, he only gets to go away in school holidays. Whilst I understand that some holidays can be educational you have to accept that it’s not always the case! I am a great believer that children should learn from any early age, that there are rules that need to be adhered to whether it’s uniform, timetables, manners or school terms dates. We don’t always get to have what we want when we want and so why not learn that early! We have an obsession in this country about our ‘right’ to an affordable holiday, sorry – school comes first! And whilst I understand a day or 2 at the end of term, a solid block in the middle of term will hold your child up for the rest of that time! And as for a term time break for teachers? Really? can you imagine how the Daily Mail would see that? They (and we) signed up to a work contract and have to stick to it, just like the parents should have to!
Sorry about the rant – but it causes all sorts of trouble for my husband! School holidays are when you should go away – if the price is too high then badger the holiday companies not the teachers!
I have pteviously taken my children out of school at primary age for a special holiday with grandparents which was agreed by school. Not sure if you are aware that the European center parcs are far cheaper than uk even at peak easter and half term. We have been many times usually at a third of the price of uk. Good discount too if taking under fives.
It’s such a thorny issue, isn’t it? It’s a mystery to me why the gov’t under Michael Gove decided that *this* was the problem they needed to tackle. I don’t know about other schools but the days at the end of term are mainly filled with games, watching movies and play, letting the kids unwind. It’s not as if children miss out on vital curriculum if they skip a school-organised screening of a Disney film.
I read an article recently about children returning to school and reiterating the idea that those who took an extra day here or there were really missing out. Then in the same article it mentioned that 30% of teachers reported children returning to class HUNGRY after a week at home, pointing to poverty in those households. Of course, fixing the problem of families without enough to eat is a lot more difficult than finger wagging and hand wringing about parent-sanctioned holidays that many head teachers would approve anyway.