Another fantastic idea from the government!!!! They are now considering fining parents up to a £100 for taking their children on holiday during term time. This is a bid to improve attendance figures as it seems that holidays are second only to sickness as a reason for absence. At the moment head teachers can sanction up to two weeks a year of authorised absence during term time which covers illness, bad weather and bereavement but are often under pressure to grant it so parents can take advantage of the lower prices. Education secretary Michal Gove is said to be concerned that the perception is that middle class children can miss out on school time and that it makes truancy acceptable. Brian Light man, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:
‘The discretionary ten days has become a bit of a cultural expectation with parents viewing it as a right in some cases. It is not.
‘Children only have one chance to get their education right and for schools to do their best for pupils. It is essential that children have good attendance.’

Now this is all very good for the likes of light man and grove on their nice juicy p[politician salary , but as a mother of two I must disagree with him. I work really hard to make sure that I can give my children the very best I possibly can. They have a very nice life with the latest computer games, toys and after school club activities that I can afford for them. They are only 7 and 4 at the moment and I will admit that the last two years I have taken them out of school to go on the annual school holiday by about 7-10 days before there due to break up. Last year we went to Egypt where the same holiday priced up on the school holidays would of cost me an additional £2000 which I just couldn’t afford. Now at their age at the moment the last week of school is usually a winding down affair anyway with fun days and dressing up events. I would never take them out at a time where they are of an age when exams would be taking place or important curriculum activities but at this stage in their life I feel like taking them on holiday and experiencing the cultures and lifestyles of other country’s only helps then widen their education anyway.

My little boy snorkelling

 In Egypt they went camel riding, snorkelling , sampled lots of different foods and flavours and had one of the best holidays of their lives but if I stuck to the term time the furthest I would have been able to take them would probably be Blackpool – nothing wrong with the good old British seaside but not quite the same as being on a luxury holiday. I know I am actually in the cruise travel industry myself but have the government ever considered putting any structures or policy’s in place for the companies selling the holidays who charge three times the price for the school holidays. Surely the travel industry must be held accountable for ripping off parents who just want the best for their children. I want my boys to do really well at school and they never have anytime off apart from this as I make sure school is something that they enjoy and understand the importance of doing well at school for their future. I do however stand strong in my opinion that I will keep on taking them out a few days here or there if it means I can afford for them to see abit of this big wide world we live in.

Give us parents a break Mr Government and try looking at the bigger picture – what about travel companies paying a fine if the prices are ridiculous or breaking up school holidays and spreading them out evenly through the year instead. I’m sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t want my children to miss out on holiday of a lifetime at an affordable price without risking a fine but even if this is going to be the case a £100 compared to a £2000 saving doesn’t really matter anyway.  What do you think are you with me or against ???

3 Comments on “Will a fine make you rethink your holiday plans ??”

1. Holiday sickness can make your child miss the school. I think thats why government is charging for it. If you have holiday illness insurance then you can holiday illness compensation from the company.

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2. I agree with fines for school absence. I have 2 daughters, both in full time nursery which continues to be paid whilst we go on holiday (£400 a week) so we are used to this. However we made a decision to give them as many holidays as possible before starting school in Sept 2012, which we have done. Yes the majority of these has been luxury holidays, however what we have learnt is that they are just as happy at a 2* clean basic resort in Menorca as they are at a 5* luxury reosrt further afield. In fact they are happiest at a farm in Cornwall which is what we’ve booked for Oct half term. School is where they should be. And if this means less holidays as they’re more expensive so be it. It may make parents more creative in thinking about what they can do with their kids in half term time that is free and is fun!

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3. I agree with the original post -Family holidays are important for quality time together- I can only afford a holiday every 18 months or so,and not in the summertime. It is so sad that my children miss out on this family time each year. Yes, most young kids enjoy any type of holiday, but my 12year old doesn’t, stuck in a caravan whilst the heavens open- Does the government back families or not!They are so many families breaking up,holidays are all about de-stressing for the adults too.

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