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Catherine Warrilow - taking children out of school during term time
- Catherine Warrilow
- Jul 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 27
Hi, I'm Catherine Warrilow, and for the past 12 years I've taken my kids out of school during term time.
I'm a regular media commentator on why a parent would choose to take their children out of school during term time and why I've been willing to do so and be subject to a fine.
You'll find links to some of those interviews below with national and regional press.
And me sharing views over on TikTok.
And my reasoning for choosing to take them out of school during term and save money.
Why I take my kids out of school during term time.
Saving money on term time holidays
🛫 Some holidays cost thousands less during term time, even just for the sake of missing the last two days or first two days of term. Holiday providers like Center Parcs and Thomas Cook have been heavily criticised over the years for their massive price hikes especially during the summer holidays. We've saved tens of thousands over the years, and certainly up to £1500 on one holiday. It's meant that we've been able to take the kids to a range of destinations including Spain, France, Mexico and Egypt.
Travel is educational
🛫 Travel is educational! I see myself and my husband as the primary educators of our children. School does academic, we do life. And travel is a big part of that. Experiencing new cultures, speaking a different language, meeting interesting people, trying new foods. Yes the classroom is important but life skills come from every other aspect of a child's life.
The impact on a child's learning
🛫 The disruption to a class or inconvenience to a teacher of a child being absent due to a term time holiday is not, in my eyes, the problem. The wider issue is the lack of funding schools have for an adequate teaching provision and the amount of time a teacher can focus on a child. Second to that, the issue is persistent absenteeism on a regular basis. The focus should be on improving the support and focus for families who need help in the education style their child would benefit from most and the help to ensure they are regularly in school.
Parenting responsibility for education
🛫 As a parent I take responsibility for my child keeping up with school work and homework. Maintaining effective communication with the school around absences is the key, and ensuring that your child takes work home, catches up and doesn't fall behind is down to the parent and should be expected of all parents whether they take their kids out during term time or not.
Being fined for taking your kids out of school during term time
🛫 I accept that there is a fines process in place and for the money we've saved I am happy to pay a fine. We have not yet received one and I don't know the technicalities of the fines process to be able to comment on why that is.
Further increasing fines in August 2024
🛫 I don't think further increases to fines are fair, especially to those who simply cannot afford to have a holiday in the school holidays. Quality family time is essential for the family dynamic, mental health, learning and development, and as a parent who is responsible for the upbringing of my children, I want a say in how and when we provide that.
Supporting children who need it most
🛫 Instead focus should be placed on supporting families where children are unable to attend school on a week to week basis. And the children that are routinely falling behind because they're unable to engage with the work inside or outside the classroom.
All views are my own. As the opinions of one person, they should be balanced with the wider views of other parents, care givers, schools, teachers and educators.
Mum who takes her sons on foreign holidays in term time says she's saved £10,000 and has NEVER been fined - and vows to continue despite planned crackdown on unauthorised absences
Mum saves £10,000 taking kids out of school for holidays for 9 years and ISN'T fined
Defiant mum saves £10k by taking children out of school for term-time holidays The Express - June 2022
I take my kids on holiday in term time, I don’t care if I get fined, off peak holidays have saved me £10k
'I've saved £10,000 taking my kids to Mexico, Egypt and Lanzarote in term-time - it's good for them
I am available for media comment on days out related topics, especially the family market - from new openings and trends to spending habits and attraction/experience announcements such as pricing or changes that affect consumers. Contact me anytime, I'm reliable, fast to reply, happy to be photographed and experienced doing live interviews and panel debates.
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