What do teachers really think when a child misses school to go on holidays?

Officially, parents are “strongly advised” against taking children out of school during term time.

Despite this, St Catherine's National School Principal Karen Jordan, says she often has to deal with the issue. 

She told The Pat Kenny Show that most teachers don’t judge parents for taking holidays during the school term.

“Honestly, we don’t really,” she said.

“We’re quite jealous. We have to be there, we’re holding the fort. 

“We would love to go on holidays during term time from a financial point of view - but we’re there.”

Children going on holiday, 26-8-16. Image: David Gee 4 / Alamy

Ms Jordan said parents sometimes even ask the school to provide their children with work they can do while they are away.

This, Ms Jordan feels, is actually more disruptive for teachers than taking your child out of class as it creates extra work for the teacher.

“Teachers are planning for the class in front of them, we can’t backtrack,” she said. 

“If parents are taking them out, it’s up to the parents to catch them up.” 

That said, she does suggest that parents make sure their child is still learning while they are away on holiday. 

“Bring a book, bring a kindle, sit on the beach or in the hotel - you name it,” she said. 

“Maybe go on something educational; go to a museum or for older children, maybe create a little bit of a project or a diary entry - just to keep up with the basics, the learning.” 

A grandmother with two grandchildren sitting on beach. Picture by: parkerphotography / Alamy Stock Photo

When asked whether she thought it was more disruptive for a child to skip school at the beginning of the school year or at the end, Ms Jordan said it is hard to give a “definitive answer” but implied the start of the year was slightly more important. 

“Think about all those routines that start at the beginning of the year,” she said. 

“The friendships, who you sit beside, the giving out of new books, the new lunch time routines, the new friendship groups. 

“So, I would probably say at the beginning of the year is more [disruptive] for establishing routines when they come back.”  

If your child misses more than 20 days of school, the principal must inform the Child and Family Agency's educational welfare services.

Parents may then find they are issued with a School Attendance Notice - a legal letter outlining the consequences of their child continuing to miss school.

Main image: Children in the sea. Picture by: AG News/Alamy Live News