There is an article in The Times today about the increasing numbers of children missing days off school because “thousands of parents take their children on cheap holidays during term time”. In addition figures show an increase in pupils given time off for religious reasons.
New guidelines for schools recommends setting term dates around major religious events to avoid clashes. Well. Yes. That would clearly help. Eid, for example fell during half term in 2006, but last year was in term time.
But am I missing something here? Would it not be more simple for the powers that be to ensure that all schools, be they grammar schools, comprehensive schools, primary schools, nursery schools or private schools have their half term holidays at the same time? That used to happen -in the olden days. What’s changed? Why are they staggered? I don’t remember the last time my three children had the same half term and IT’S A BLOODY NIGHTMARE. Of course it’s tempting to take one of them out so we can all spend time together somewhere. I know loads of people who have done it this half-term and I don’t blame them at all.
Next February ALL schools are on the same half-term – well, I think that’s great. Why do private schools have holidays at a different time to state schools? They quite commonly get the week before the state sector breaks up which means they get the cheaper, quieter holidays, which doesn’t seem fair. Who does it actually suit? The teachers?
Bush Mummy
October 24, 2008And when you consider that it is DOUBLE the price to go skiing for half term week in February than the week prior or after, you can see why people take them out. Frankly for my four year old, I’d do it.
BM x
Expat mum
October 24, 2008My kids go to an non-denominational private school and they bend over backwards not to favour one religion. Of course we get two weeks over Xmas, but a big deal is made of Hannukah. The Jewish pupils always take off Rosh hashana and Yon Kippur (last week and the week before). Quite frankly, they should just give all the kids those days off as there are so few in class they can’t teach anything anyway.
Working mum
October 24, 2008Nope – it’s not done to suit the teachers, believe me.
To be honest, I don’t blame parents going for the cheaper times, I just wish I could too!
family affairs
October 24, 2008Good. Thanks Working Mum – just the woman I wanted to hear from….well if it doesn’t even suit the teachers and the teachers don’t blame the parents then WHO DOES IT SUIT AND WHY CAN’T WE CHANGE IT? Lx
Miranda
October 24, 2008I remember hearing somewhere that they stagger school hoildays (in SA anyway) to avoid road accidents. So that there is not a crazy amount of traffic on the roads all at the same time…maybe??
Fat, frumpy and fifty...
October 25, 2008I havent ever taken my kids out of school for hols, or rarely for doctors or dentists, I work round it, with much difficulty. But I would be able to take them abroad If I could afford it as holiday times attract a premium. Christ knows why you can only sell the bloody thing once..so the wealthy win out again…yaaboosucks..this is a peeve of mine…l’m even more discombobulated now as Ive read this…seethe!! LOL