Hurray! The High Court backs Mr Platt....

[french frank]

Another anecdote:

Colin Creevey went on holiday during term time, but his parents asked that he be set work to do while he was away, so that he didn't fall behind in his schoolwork. Dumbledore wisely commented that if they were so concerned about it, they shouldn't be taking him on holiday during term-time.

There are two distinct sides here in terms of the way this is viewed: teachers v parents. It possibly helps not to be either

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Another anecdote:

Colin Creevey went on holiday during term time, but his parents asked that he be set work to do while he was away, so that he didn't fall behind in his schoolwork. Dumbledore wisely commented that if they were so concerned about it, they shouldn't be taking him on holiday during term-time.

Yes! And regarding it as typical of teachers today that they "couldn't be bothered" to make the extra time to set - and mark - the requisite extra work!!!

I'd rather be required to wear high heels!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There are two distinct sides here in terms of the way this is viewed: teachers v parents. It possibly helps not to be either

And I must remind myself that I'm neither. Slow breath in ... slow breath out ... and relax ... work on those diastolics

[P. G. Tipps]

There are two distinct sides here in terms of the way this is viewed: teachers v parents. It possibly helps not to be either

I agree ... it's the kids who are the really important ones?

[teamsaint]

I'd regard it as very responsible parenting to give children the very best experiences that one can. Good family time is often at a premium. Those brief moments of special family time don't necessarily come round too often.Seizing them can be very important.
If that involves missing the odd week of less than essential schooling, then so be it. Being a parent, like teaching, is a tough job, and the best has sometimes to be made of less than perfect situations.

If some parents take the P***,then I think its unlikely that a £60 fine will do much to stop them. 68000 fines in one year suggests as much.

It is important of course that parents should have regard for the work that schools do, and to treat their schedules with consideration.

[Richard Tarleton]

The arguments about children falling behind seem overdone. I lost 3-4 weeks of education at 14 having measles. Soon caught up, no long-term effect.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The arguments about children falling behind seem overdone. I lost 3-4 weeks of education at 14 having measles. Soon caught up, no long-term effect.

Yes - this seems to be the predominant idea. And certainly, if the degree of discontent is leading to court cases, something has gone seriously wrong with the parent/school relationship in this LEA at any rate. But that does suggest that there needs to be public discussion about education in the UK (or is it just England?) - what does society want for their children and from our schools? What constitutes responsible teaching and parenting? What represents an "acceptable" amount of time away from the classroom? Would it matter if teachers were to be allowed to have a week/fortnight off in the middle of a term to take the same advantages of cheaper holidays as the rest of society?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There are two distinct sides here in terms of the way this is viewed: teachers v parents. It possibly helps not to be either

Most teachers are also parents.

[MrGongGong]

Yes - this seems to be the predominant idea. And certainly, if the degree of discontent is leading to court cases, something has gone seriously wrong with the parent/school relationship in this LEA at any rate. But that does suggest that there needs to be public discussion about education in the UK (or is it just England?) - what does society want for their children and from our schools? What constitutes responsible teaching and parenting? What represents an "acceptable" amount of time away from the classroom? Does it matter if teachers were to be allowed to have a week/fortnight off in the middle of a term to take the same advantages of cheaper holidays as the rest of society?

Alas, there is absolutely NO chance whatsoever in having any meaningful discussion about education, what it's for,what works and what kind of experiences we would like it to contain..... so we will go on and on with f*ckwit politicians talking b*llocks over and over and over again.....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The arguments about children falling behind seem overdone. I lost 3-4 weeks of education at 14 having measles. Soon caught up, no long-term effect.

Another anecdote (and one I have experienced several times):

The Parvati twins went on holiday during term time, and were due back at school on 12th May. Unfortunately, they both picked up an infection towards the end of their time away, and were off school for the next two weeks. A double whammy.

[teamsaint]

Just to pick up on one point of Ferney's, the " rest of society" doesn't necessarily get to take its holidays when it wants , or at off peak time,any more than teachers do. (And it can actually be difficult even for parents to get time off in the school holidays, since all the other parents do too).

I don't think the government will be welcoming a debate about what parents , schools , teachers or children want out of education any time soon.
They have already decided .
( Edit: I see GG has made this point very eloquently....)

I just wish I was selling in the hoop industry.

[P. G. Tipps]

Just to pick up on one point of Ferney's, the " rest of society" doesn't necessarily get to take its holidays when it wants , or at off peak time,any more than teachers do. .

Absolutely ... we all have to accept restrictions in our personal lives for the common good ... surely that's what 'society' is all about?

I find the excuses for selfish individualism from the usual corporatists here quite illogical and absurd.

[french frank]

Most teachers are also parents.

Yes, I'm sure that makes them very understanding.

[greenilex]

My experience is mostly in secondary comprehensives, and is not recent. But one student choosing to skip lessons, with or without parental support, usually leads to a rash of copycat absences and can really destroy a well-thought-out programme.
We all follow fashion, and teenagers more than most. How to persuade them that school does matter, when life is so much more alluring?

[ardcarp]

I think all of Alpie's examples relate to secondary school kids, and yes, it must be difficult if they miss major commitments (e.g. music exams for which they are entered, or GCSE assessments). Mr Platt's daughter was 7 for goodness' sake, and I just don't believe the occasional week off makes any difference at all.

Having said that, Ginny Weasley (have we had her yet?) missed two whole years of school from age 13 - 15 through serious illness...one whole year spent in hospital. She rejoined her Comp. in year 11 and got 4XA*, 3XA and 2XB. OK, so she was a bright cookie, but doesn't that say something?