Holidays: Are they just for rich and famous Children?

Is it right that the majority of parents are penalised for the negative actions of just a few?  I understand the importance of education and, as a teacher have seen parents who apparently care little for their child’s learning and development during formal education.  But is it right that holiday companies can charge more than double the price for a family of four to go away during holiday time? A 2* apartment for a family of four in the ski resort of Les Deux Alpes goes up from £1598 the week before half term to £3358 the week during February half term (1).  This seems to me to be absolutely criminal and punishing people with young families.  Surely, rather than the government giving head teachers the ability to fine parents up to £120 for unauthorised time off school they should be looking at how to tackle this completely unethical price hike aimed specifically at children and teachers?  I understand that there are some parents who allow their children to play truant and do not adhere to many other school guidelines but this seems particularly unfair to the majority of parents who support the education of their children and work closely with teachers as well as the school to make sure they are learning in the best way possible.  

Please understand I am not attacking schools, much less our local primary school who have honoured a previously booked holiday during term time.  I think this problem goes straight to the government.  As with most reactive policies this has not been thoroughly thought through and once again they believe they know what’s best for our children.  Cue the cringe worthy phrase Nanny state which refers to more and more responsibility being taken away from parents and families.  The news recently is that all children will be entitled to free school meals up to Year 3 and although it seems like a generous initiative is this just another aspect of control from the Nanny state?  Parents are now not to be trusted with packing a lunch-box for their children?  Well sometimes Nanny doesn't know best.  Nanny seems to care too much about statistics and how we appear to be doing compared to everyone else.  Nanny doesn't see the smile on a child’s face as parents relax and put them to bed after a fun family day doing something different, or the hungry growl of the child’s tummy during the afternoon because they were unable to eat the bland meals served up in the dinner hall.  (Obviously there are exceptions.)  But the experiences a choices that most parents make are likely to have a more positive impact on the growth of a child rather than faceless policies targeted at improving statistics.  Are these experiences not better for developing well rounded children who will be more ‘beneficial’ to society when they leave school?  Call me crazy but I’d rather my children leave school at 18 with a respect for other cultures, an awareness of travel and memories of exciting adventures than a 100% attendance record.  I don’t believe that 5 days out of school per year will damage their academic achievement.  If the government are worried about such recent statistics perhaps, rather than developing more policies and obsessing about headline grabbing changes, they should take time to really study education in some of the top performing countries.   A major study (2) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows England is 22nd for literacy and 21st for numeracy out of 24 countries. That’s second and third WORSE at reading and writing than other countries.  Please don’t think I'm implying that countries like the Netherlands, Finland and Japan (top 3 in the findings respectively) allow their children too many holidays per year!  But I do know that in the Netherlands, for example, holidays are staggered across the different regions, which inevitably prevents a huge price jump by holiday companies for certain times of year. 

My proposal would be to allow each family, of primary school aged children, up to 5 days authorised absence for a holiday.  This would then make holiday destinations much quieter during peak times and challenge holiday companies to keep their prices competitive.   People without young children may not like this proposal but if you think logically it would mean NO peak periods and therefore a more spread out ‘influx’ of families.  If parents take responsibility for work missed during the child’s time off and can ensure the work is completed then why should it not be allowed?  If parents fail to prove work had been caught up on, then their allocation for the following year could be reduced to prevent any abuse of the system.  I know many teachers will be worrying about the extra work load of extra planning, but honestly how long would it take to photocopy a week’s literacy and numeracy plan to communicate with parents?

A friend and I were chatting the other day about the legalities, morality and logistics of taking our children out of school during term time.  We agree that something needs to be done about the obscene prices the holiday companies have the audacity to charge parents, AND of course teachers who are also bound by term time.  I can honestly see no problem with my 4 year daughter missing one week of school to go on a holiday she will love, where she will learn new skills and experiencing a different culture.  And if I'm only able to afford it during term time then that is when we will go.

(1)    http://www.thomascook.com/product/?brandCode=NEI1&searchId=1381916679176&trail=19012%3A2_2_0_0_4_6_1%3A19008%3A02082014-02082014%3A19010%3AfacetGroup_1900020_0%3A19006%3AfacetGroup_800005_0&tcSearchResultId=NEIHOL_A%4039812-&sortOrder=&journey=normal&srpTrail=19012%3A2_2_0_0_4_6_1%3A19008%3A02082014-02082014%3A19010%3AfacetGroup_1900020_0%3A19006%3AfacetGroup_800005_0&productId=H0005318&sortingBy=&resultsCount=377&pageNum=1&searchType=tc&roomCodes=X08A05_rc_STUD01_bbc_4%40&dd=02082014&accomIndex=1

(2)    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24433320