Bulgaria Ski discussion board
out of half term fines
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 10-10-07 17:47re: out of half term fines
I have children and our local authority have now adopted the continental holidays this year. I believe all schools will be adopting these eventually. The main problem is the Easter break. Its already late in the season and now my children only get a long weekend at easter (Friday Monday). They get the main holiday 2 weeks after Easter. This will ensure that what snow there is at this time of the year has another couple of weeks to melt away. Who ever came up with this crazy idea obvioulsy ...
I have children and our local authority have now adopted the continental holidays this year. I believe all schools will be adopting these eventually. The main problem is the Easter break. Its already late in the season and now my children only get a long weekend at easter (Friday Monday). They get the main holiday 2 weeks after Easter. This will ensure that what snow there is at this time of the year has another couple of weeks to melt away. Who ever came up with this crazy idea obvioulsy does not have kids who snowboard. Be warned its coming to an school near you!
re: out of half term fines
Heres a letter that I sent to one of my childs school..computer said no !
The other school said yes !
I was a little upset and disappointed to learn by voicemail today that my application to take XXXXX on holiday had been declined so therefore wondered if you would confirm your definition of “exceptional circumstances”?
My partner is unable (as a company rule) to take any time off in the school holidays due to working in the hospitality trade, so I ensured this holiday was booked as ...
The other school said yes !
I was a little upset and disappointed to learn by voicemail today that my application to take XXXXX on holiday had been declined so therefore wondered if you would confirm your definition of “exceptional circumstances”?
My partner is unable (as a company rule) to take any time off in the school holidays due to working in the hospitality trade, so I ensured this holiday was booked as ...
Heres a letter that I sent to one of my childs school..computer said no !
The other school said yes !
I was a little upset and disappointed to learn by voicemail today that my application to take XXXXX on holiday had been declined so therefore wondered if you would confirm your definition of “exceptional circumstances”?
My partner is unable (as a company rule) to take any time off in the school holidays due to working in the hospitality trade, so I ensured this holiday was booked as near to the beginning of term to minimise any disruption to the rest of XXXXX’s school year, I also requested if we could take some work for her to complete whilst away to keep her up to date with the curriculum.
She had an attendance record of 98.1% in 2006, 93.5% at the end of last term and A’s in all subjects except Art, along with an excellent report.
I feel the holiday in itself will be an education, due to the fact she will be visiting many ancient sites around Egypt, and obviously experiencing a different culture, language and cuisine for the week, which is more than can be said for the week in February when most of the children in her year will be absent to go on a weeks trip to Calshot!
I also wonder how many days off work I will need this year, when the Education Department decides to close for “development days”? – It appears it is acceptable for the pupils to miss education on all these occasions, yet the only chance in the year I have to take my children on a family holiday and XXXX will be penalised on next years report already with “unauthorised absences”! It hardly encourages her to strive for a good attendance record for the rest of the year!
I am also aware that certain classmates of hers have a very high “sick” record, missing many days a month let alone a year, yet these seem to go unrectified!
Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to England
1. Headteachers are able to grant up to 10 school days leave of absence for the purpose of family holidays during term time. Save in exceptional circumstances a parent shall not be granted more than ten school days leave of absence in any one school year. Each request can only be judged on a case by case basis taking into account individual circumstances, such as the child's attainment, attendance and ability to catch up. While leave of absence might be granted for a term time holiday, for example where a parent has inflexible leave patterns in their career that do not coincide with school holidays, it is granted entirely at the Head's discretion, and is not a right.
Having read the press article above and studied the Government guidelines, I feel my situation fulfils the “exceptional circumstances” as our personal circumstances are an exception to the rule of school holidays.
I am aware it is ultimately your decision. However, if as stated above the requests are treated on a case by case basis, taking XXXXX’s ability, achievement and attendance into consideration, I am somewhat surprised you felt you were unable to grant her the 7 days out of the 10 day allowance that is possible.
We went regardless
The other school said yes !
I was a little upset and disappointed to learn by voicemail today that my application to take XXXXX on holiday had been declined so therefore wondered if you would confirm your definition of “exceptional circumstances”?
My partner is unable (as a company rule) to take any time off in the school holidays due to working in the hospitality trade, so I ensured this holiday was booked as near to the beginning of term to minimise any disruption to the rest of XXXXX’s school year, I also requested if we could take some work for her to complete whilst away to keep her up to date with the curriculum.
She had an attendance record of 98.1% in 2006, 93.5% at the end of last term and A’s in all subjects except Art, along with an excellent report.
I feel the holiday in itself will be an education, due to the fact she will be visiting many ancient sites around Egypt, and obviously experiencing a different culture, language and cuisine for the week, which is more than can be said for the week in February when most of the children in her year will be absent to go on a weeks trip to Calshot!
I also wonder how many days off work I will need this year, when the Education Department decides to close for “development days”? – It appears it is acceptable for the pupils to miss education on all these occasions, yet the only chance in the year I have to take my children on a family holiday and XXXX will be penalised on next years report already with “unauthorised absences”! It hardly encourages her to strive for a good attendance record for the rest of the year!
I am also aware that certain classmates of hers have a very high “sick” record, missing many days a month let alone a year, yet these seem to go unrectified!
Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to England
1. Headteachers are able to grant up to 10 school days leave of absence for the purpose of family holidays during term time. Save in exceptional circumstances a parent shall not be granted more than ten school days leave of absence in any one school year. Each request can only be judged on a case by case basis taking into account individual circumstances, such as the child's attainment, attendance and ability to catch up. While leave of absence might be granted for a term time holiday, for example where a parent has inflexible leave patterns in their career that do not coincide with school holidays, it is granted entirely at the Head's discretion, and is not a right.
Having read the press article above and studied the Government guidelines, I feel my situation fulfils the “exceptional circumstances” as our personal circumstances are an exception to the rule of school holidays.
I am aware it is ultimately your decision. However, if as stated above the requests are treated on a case by case basis, taking XXXXX’s ability, achievement and attendance into consideration, I am somewhat surprised you felt you were unable to grant her the 7 days out of the 10 day allowance that is possible.
We went regardless
re: out of half term fines
I have mixed views on this one - being a teacher as well as a parent. A couple of weeks out of school might not seem a big deal, but it can be disruptive - especially if children miss out on 'basics' that they need in order to make sense of the work they're going to be doing. A unit of work generally lasts half a term, so if they're out for two weeks, that can mean that they miss a third of their coursework. The brightest ones do usually manage to catch up, but others might find it more ...
I have mixed views on this one - being a teacher as well as a parent. A couple of weeks out of school might not seem a big deal, but it can be disruptive - especially if children miss out on 'basics' that they need in order to make sense of the work they're going to be doing. A unit of work generally lasts half a term, so if they're out for two weeks, that can mean that they miss a third of their coursework. The brightest ones do usually manage to catch up, but others might find it more difficult.
On the other hand, it's easy to spot the school hols in any holiday brochure. My school issues a warning, then a fine, but some parents will pay up because it still works out cheaper than booking at peak times!
On the other hand, it's easy to spot the school hols in any holiday brochure. My school issues a warning, then a fine, but some parents will pay up because it still works out cheaper than booking at peak times!
