Holiday Blues

I am feeling like a bit of a criminal and that I've done something really bad...I have booked a holiday during term time. But before I beat myself with a proverbial stick let's consider the situation for what it really is.  Presently the government's guidance is that holidays should not be booked during the academic year and that parents can be fined up to £50 for the pleasure.  However, as any parent can attest the number of school residential trips just keeps increasing year on year, all in the name of education.  These trips do not necessarily represent good value, they can be pretty extortionate, especially when you consider it is for one member of the family only.  In fact when I checked the list of trips available to pupils throughout the five years of secondary education at the school where my children attend, the amount possible to spend was a staggering amount in the almost tens of thousands.  On the flip-side I would also point out that our holiday will provide as many, if not more, educational opportunities - we are definitely not going to miss checking out Mount Etna while we are away (beat that Geography Department). In the interest of providing our children with opportunities to travel and explore are schools becoming rather over zealous?  Our school has a trip to America skiing, is that really part of the school remit? While the nation struggles in this time of austerity every luxury is hard won. The school holiday monopoly enjoyed by the holiday industry bites harder every year, the 'season' starting earlier and ending later so that there are no 'cheap' weeks to choose from. Should schools be allowed to make it financially harder?  I think not.