Minister takes daughter out of school in term time for trip

[AlexKP]

Non-story or total hypocrisy and arrogance?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/805697...


I'm 100% convinced of the latter.

[hornetrider]

I think it's both. It's definitely hypocrisy, however it's a ridiculous rule imo.

[esselte]

Do as I say,not as I do....

[chris watton]

esselte said:

Do as I say,not as I do....

It is sad that something as trivial as this can whip up such animosity. The problem is that it’s this government’s own fault we’ve all got so petty – they want to control our lives in seemingly every aspect to the Nth degree – compliance MUST be adhered to. Therefore, with such stringent rules and restrictions they expect us to follow, it’s only right that the people who supervise and make up new laws/bans/restrictions should follow suit and lead by example. If they cannot, they have no moral right to impose anything on us.

[esselte]

chris watton said:

esselte said:

Do as I say,not as I do....

It is sad that something as trivial as this can whip up such animosity. The problem is that it’s this government’s own fault we’ve all got so petty – they want to control our lives in seemingly every aspect to the Nth degree – compliance MUST be adhered to. Therefore, with such stringent rules and restrictions they expect us to follow, it’s only right that the people who supervise and make up new laws/bans/restrictions should follow suit and lead by example. If they cannot, they have no moral right to impose anything on us.

Exactly,everyone is equal but some....etc etc.....

[10 Pence Short]

hornetrider said:

I think it's both. It's definitely hypocrisy, however it's a ridiculous rule imo.

That would be my opinion, too.

It's one of those rules that the people who let their kids run truant anyway ignore, whilst the law abiding parents who do stick to the rules end up getting shafted by holiday companies, even though their kids are at school everyday otherwise.

[Hobzy]

hornetrider said:

I think it's both. It's definitely hypocrisy, however it's a ridiculous rule imo.

13 weeks holiday not enough time to squeeze a trip to the costa del toss for people then?

[VX Foxy]

This is a complete non-story. Yes, its hypocritical but who the fk cares??

[hornetrider]

Hobzy said:

hornetrider said:

I think it's both. It's definitely hypocrisy, however it's a ridiculous rule imo.

13 weeks holiday not enough time to squeeze a trip to the costa del toss for people then?

I think the rule was brought in for exactly that reason - low life charvers dragging Chesney and Britney off to Shagaluf for some alcopops when the holidaze are cheep, innit.

However, if Lady Fotherington-Smythe happens to whip Tarquin out of Latin for a few days on the Riviera for the film festival, I can't personally see the problem.

[IanMorewood]

bet he sticks the fine down on his expenses claim.

[Tony*T3]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

The rules quite clearly state you can apply for permission to take your child out of school during term time. This is even for holidays. If you care to aquaint yourselves with the rules you'll see there is always flexibility.

We do it every year. Our child is one of the schools top achievers and has been recognised as such. She learned more in Mexico last year over 2 weeks of school time about culture, history and geography than she was taught the whole rest of the year, in my opinion. She also had a great holiday with her family which she deserved, and wouldnt have got during mormal school holidays.

We'll be taking her out of school in term time again shortly.

[Martial Arts Man]

I would wager that any child from a state school is furthering their education by being somewhere else for a week or two.

Any child from the private sector will be sufficiently ahead of their peers at the former for it not to matter.



I'm gonna get shouted at for this post I think.

[AlexKP]

Martial Arts Man said:

I would wager that any child from a state school is furthering their education by being somewhere else for a week or two.

Any child from the private sector will be sufficiently ahead of their peers at the former for it not to matter.



I'm gonna get shouted at for this post I think.

Yep - that's a huge and inaccurate generalisation.




Edited to correct inaccurate spelling of inaccurate.

Edited by AlexKP on Tuesday 19th May 13:07

[AlexKP]

Tony*T3 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

The rules quite clearly state you can apply for permission to take your child out of school during term time. This is even for holidays. If you care to aquaint yourselves with the rules you'll see there is always flexibility.

We do it every year. Our child is one of the schools top achievers and has been recognised as such. She learned more in Mexico last year over 2 weeks of school time about culture, history and geography than she was taught the whole rest of the year, in my opinion. She also had a great holiday with her family which she deserved, and wouldnt have got during mormal school holidays.

We'll be taking her out of school in term time again shortly.

I am fully aware of the rules - however it is very much discouraged. In theory permission needs to be sought and approved from the Headteacher and Governors during term-time.

All the emphasis from central government over the past decade has been on keeping children in school and discouraging parents from taking the child out of school for any reason during term time.

This story smacks (once again) of the "do as I say, not do as I do" mentality of current politicians that others have already mentioned.

Whether a child may learn more on a trip abroad or not isn't the issue. Yes - they may on a cultural trip to Mexico, no they probably won't with a week by a pool in Marbella.

Our leaders should be leading by example, and they are patently not.

Edited by AlexKP on Tuesday 19th May 13:08

[croyde]

Mexico

We have done it once as it is virtually impossible for me to take a holiday during the school summer hols. It's my busiest time of year but when we tried the second time it was my then 7 year old who complained as she did not want to miss school. 2 years later and her attitude has totally changed.

We did have to write a begging letter to the headmistress and wait ages for the reply.

[Jasandjules]

esselte said:

Do as I say,not as I do....

As is usual with the self serving scum.

It's their own fault for interfering in every facet of our very existence...

[esselte]

Jasandjules said:

esselte said:

Do as I say,not as I do....

As is usual with the self serving scum.

It's their own fault for interfering in every facet of our very existence...

That's right,if they'd left us to get on with our own lives then we wouldn't be half as bothered with theirs..

[johnfm]

Martial Arts Man said:

I would wager that any child from a state school is furthering their education by being somewhere else for a week or two.

Any child from the private sector will be sufficiently ahead of their peers at the former for it not to matter.



I'm gonna get shouted at for this post I think.

I'm with you.

Non-story, to be honest.

The concept of 'asking permission' to take your own children on holiday is ridiculous and if yuo have a half decent relationship with the head of school, it is never an issue.

[esselte]

johnfm said:

Martial Arts Man said:

I would wager that any child from a state school is furthering their education by being somewhere else for a week or two.

Any child from the private sector will be sufficiently ahead of their peers at the former for it not to matter.



I'm gonna get shouted at for this post I think.

I'm with you.

Non-story, to be honest.

The concept of 'asking permission' to take your own children on holiday is ridiculous and if yuo have a half decent relationship with the head of school, it is never an issue.

I don't think anyone is arguing that you shouldn't do it,the story here is that the person who is doing it is the Irish Education minister whose department has told parents that they shouldn't do it..did you read the article?...

Edited by esselte on Tuesday 19th May 20:33

[Mr Dave]

This is the woman that decides what happens in regards to schools in Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK.

Her kids go to school in Ireland (across the border, itd be like an English person sending their kids to school in France)

Hypocrite.

Shes caused a lot of trouble and distress to parents in NI who dont know where their kids are going to be going to school with the way she has gotten rid of the 11+/transfer.

What difference does it make to her? The schools that she is in charge of in this country arent good enough for her kids.