Parents hoping for short-term holiday gain

Parents hoping for short-term holiday gain

School isn't yet out in many areas of the country, but you can bet some children are already on holiday. According to research published this week, more than eight out of 10 parents would consider taking their child away during term time, with many citing cost as a motivation.

The high cost of going away during official school holidays has been an issue for years, with the government asking travel firms to justify their pricing back in 2004. However, parents still feel they are being ripped off. The research by website Mumsnet showed three-quarters of parents felt they were being exploited by companies who knew they had no choice when to holiday.

Almost two-thirds said the cost of taking a break was preventing them going away, but 85% said they would take – or had taken – their children out of school during term time to travel. Of those who had already done so, 43% said it was to cut the cost of their break.

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The type of holiday they were planning made a difference to parents' attitudes. Just over half said they would take their children out of school during term time for a beach or relaxing holiday, but the figure rose to 80% if it was a once-in-a-lifetime, long-haul trip.

Despite Tony's Blair's decision to take his children out of school for a trip to the Seychelles when he was prime minister, the government is clear that missing school is never a good thing – telling parents that "all absences come at a price". But parents seem undecided. Although 58% felt taking a child out of school for a holiday was hard on the teachers, 66% believed children could learn as much from being on holiday as being at school.

Schools do have discretion to allow children to miss up to 10 days a year for holidays if there are good reasons for a child's absence – but the lack of cheap holidays in the school break does not count. Taking time off without permission could mean a fine of at least £50 – so is it worth it?

Would you take your children out of school in term time? Does it depend when it is – are the days towards the end of the summer term fair game but those earlier in the year more vital to their education?

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