Im Gld He Didn' Win!

[bednobs]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-39504338
if he had won it would have been like saying "hey kids, turn up to school when you want"

[youngmafbog]

And so he should have lost.

He is clearly deluded if he things a 90% attendance record is excellent, thats circa 1 day off every 2 weeks if my Maths is correct.

And just think of the problems staff would have if a class of 30 all took different weeks off, who would do the catching up with them because you can bet your bottom dollar the parents wont!

When I was at school no one took time off in terms and neither did my kids. Mind you when paying for an education it is surprising how that sharpens the mind.

[hc4361]

Holiday prices aren't inflated - low season prices are discounted

[jim360]

Right-wingers of AB must be so pleased to hear that children are now required to attend school every day with no respite, where they'll be a victim of even more leftie-liberal wishy-washy brainwashing, day in and day out...

[ummmm]

I understand, Andy, the holiday I'm going on next month will be twice the amount if booked during school holidays but that means to some families it's not affordable so no holidays.

Even holidays in the UK are extortionate. My sister owns a caravan in Norfolk and rents it out for £500 a week in summer!! How many families with young children can afford that?

These new rules are bringing back the days that only the well off can afford to go on holiday.

[cassa333]

They just go sick for a week.

I see it all the time in my school.

[cassa333]

No respite Jim!!! What plant do you live on?

They get weeks off at a time. Six in the summer, two over Christmas, a week at a time half terms, two weeks at Easter. And to top it off up to six inset days.

No respite my arris.

[ummmm]

Maybe so, Cassa, but often have to be looked after by people they don't actually want to be with. That's not respite.

[jim360]

I had hoped that it was obvious that the post I made was dripping with some irony.

I believe the point some are making is that holiday prices in school holidays are out of many poorer families' price range. So they can't have the same respite as people who *can* afford such prices, if holidays during term time are no longer an option.

Having said that, this ruling effectively holds that headteachers are still able to provide leave if they wish, so holidays during term time aren't ruled out as long as permission is obtained.

[murraymints]

holidays are a luxury not a necessity ....'ems the roooools !!

[naomi24]

I have mixed feelings about this. Depending on where the family is holidaying, I often think the experience alone can educate children far more than two weeks in school ever will. That said, someone I know took her children to Disneyworld last June and willingly paid the £60 fine per child. She said it was far less expensive than paying the exorbitant prices charged during school holidays.

[ummmm]

That's the issue. The rules have changed.

I only have one child in school doing his A levels so wouldn't dream of taking him out. He's not not interested in sun, sea and sand, he wants culture and education. He will zap up all the information he reads.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - That is the major flaw in the system - if you place a punishment so low it becomes an attractive alternative, people will simply take it.

[murraymints]

good boy ummmm !

[ummmm]

I agree, Naomi.

We went to Gibraltar a few years back and read all about the 100 tonne gun. Went up the rock, through the caves, it was an education. Read that the other 100 tonne gun was in Malta so booked there for our next holiday. So much can be learnt.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes at 12:21, of course they will.

[Sipowicz]

...nice to see you two agree on something!

[naomi24]

ummmm, and think about Africa where the beautiful animals most children only see in zoos roam free; or somewhere like Sri Lanka where just about everything exotic grows in abundance, and where I’ve bathed elephants in rivers, stroked enormous snakes – and been caught in a monsoon! Or Mexico, where, with conservationists, I’ve dug turtle eggs out of the sand releasing hatchlings into the sea keeping them safe from the circling predators that would doubtless swoop should they attempt the journey to the ocean alone. I wouldn’t forego any of that for a fortnight in front of a blackboard – and I wouldn’t deny those experiences to a child for a fortnight in front of a blackboard either. Coo … got quite carried away with my thoughts there!! :o)

[emmie]

it would be best if school pupils attended the times, days that are set out by the school. Like saying i can wear my hair any way i want, no you can't, schools should have the final say.

[ummmm]

Absolutely agree. Travel is education. For most it isn't about sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun. It's an adventure.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - I can't argue that travel education is good for children, but then you would be faced with someone deciding which holiday is 'educational', and which is not - and cries of prejudice from parents who can't afford safari trips but fancy ten days in Benidorm.