Do you take your children on holiday in term time?Getty

As the last half term of the school year dawns and classes have so many empty chairs it looks like there's been an unfortunate outbreak of The Andromeda Strain, spare a thought for children like mine.

They'll be there, grimly soldiering on and sweltering in their uniforms, until the bitter end – or July 20 as it's otherwise known – when at last we are free to go on holiday.

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Sometimes it seems as if parents like me are a dwindling band – either bravely fighting the good fight to uphold standards and decency or complete mugs, whichever way you want to look at it.

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More than half of parents admitted to taking their children out of school to go on holiday in a recent survey – and 12% said they had lied to the school about it.

When you consider what they're saving on the cost of a family holiday – sometimes up to half - it's hardly surprising.

One friend who is a teacher is well used to parents calling the school to tell them that little Scarlett is unwell and won't be at school for the rest of the week. No one is surprised when in bounces Scarlett the following Monday with a glowing tan and a fistful of photographs of her swimming with dolphins in Florida.

The two most popular times are apparently around the May/June half term and in January for skiing trips. "In June, quite often I have 50 to 60 out of 400 children off on holiday at any one time," says one suburban headteacher. "Some of my parents do it twice a year, every year."

Technically, we are allowed to take our children out of school for up to 10 days a year, but this is supposed to be discretionary and it's not an automatic right.

Some schools are pretty relaxed about it and will grant permission if the child has an otherwise good attendance rate and is not struggling academically; others are more draconian and issue dire warnings about fines for unauthorised absence.

Parents can be fined up to £100 for truancy, but in reality most headteachers are reluctant to press that particular nuclear button and would rather rely on subtle pressure and negotiation.

"When parents used to use the allowance just occasionally for a 'once in a lifetime' type holiday, I used to look on it quite benevolently, but now they're doing it regularly to go to Centerparcs because it's cheaper to go from Tuesday to Friday, I'm not quite sure I approve," says a headteacher.

So, how much do we harm our children's chances by taking them out of school for holidays?
I once asked for a Friday off because we'd been offered a free trip to Disneyland Paris, and felt racked with guilt all weekend.

So as a confirmed term-time holiday refusnik, I was hoping for some backing here from my teacher friends. The very least they could tell me was that little Scarlett's chances of getting to university were ruined because of her parents' irresponsible decision to swim with dolphins while the rest of her class were learning their eight times table.

Sadly, this was not their reaction. One pointed out that many schools don't even bother turning down parents' request for June holidays on the grounds that nothing useful happens in schools after the May half term, anyway. They all thought little Scarlett would probably learn more from her trip, and in Scarlett's teacher's position they'd be delighted at the thought of one less child in the class that week.

Another friend, on the board of governors at her local primary school, takes her children out every year to go skiing because it's the only way they can afford it. "Yes, they miss a week of school, but I think that's more than made up for by the skills they're learning on the ski slope and the family time we're enjoying together," she points out.

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Feeling thoroughly outnumbered now, I am left muttering about respect for school rules and moral fibre, which sounds embarrassingly old-fashioned and ever-so-slightly self-righteous.

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But I do have one ally: Tarun Kapur, award-winning headteacher of three secondary schools in Manchester and Cheshire. He once told me he wouldn't take his child out of school in term-time, either, and says it can have a big impact on less able children.

He thinks the absolute worst time to take your kids out of school is at the beginning of the autumn term when friendships are forged and work patterns established.

"Parents might think they won't miss much in a week, but that's six science lessons. It might take the average child eight weeks to catch up if they'd fallen behind in four subjects. Some may never catch up."

So, sorry children: July 20th it is, and not a minute before.


What do you do? Holidays strictly in the holidays or during term time to cut costs?

Test your Olympic knowledge

  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong>&nbsp;B. Greece</p>
  • <p> <strong>A massive set of Olympic rings has been hung from Tower Bridge at a cost of &pound;250,000. What do the rings represent?&nbsp;</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Stadiums</p> <p> <strong>B. </strong>Continents</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>Basketball hoops</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong>&nbsp;B. Continents</p>
  • <p> <strong>What are the names of the London Games mascots?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Wenlock and Mandeville</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Wallace and Gromit</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>Ant and Dec</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>A.&nbsp;Wenlock and Mandeville</p>
  • <p> <strong>Jessica Ennis is one of Team GB&rsquo;s best hopes for a gold medal. But in which athletics event does she compete?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Heptathlon</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Triathlon</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>Decathlon</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>A. Heptathlon&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>What is the name of the high speed train that will whisk passengers from St Pancras to the Olympic Park in seven minutes?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A.</strong> Arrow</p> <p> <strong>B. </strong>Torch</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> Javelin</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong> C. Javelin&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>Usain Bolt is known as the world&rsquo;s fastest man and is set to be the star of the 100 metre race. Which country does he represent?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Jamaica</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> USA</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> Canada</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong> A. Jamaica&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>In which seaside town will the sailing events take place?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Weymouth</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Blackpool</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>Scarborough</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong> A. Weymouth</p>
  • <p> <strong>Rower Sir Steve Redgrave won more Olympic gold medals than any other Briton. How many?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>3</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> 5</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> 7</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong> B. 5</p>
  • <p> <strong>How long is the Olympic Marathon in which Britain&rsquo;s Paula Radcliffe hopes to star?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A.</strong> Just over six miles&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Just over 26 miles</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>Just over 106 miles</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong>&nbsp;B.&nbsp;Just over 26 miles</p>
  • <p> <strong>Who sings the official Olympic song called Survival?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Muse</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Madness</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> Madonna</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong> A. Muse&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>Which of these sports is not included in this year&rsquo;s games?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Taekwondo</p> <p> <strong>B. </strong>Archery</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> Golf</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>C. Golf&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>Which Royal is set to compete for Team GB in the equestrian events?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Zara Phillips</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Prince Harry</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong>&nbsp;Princess Eugenie</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>A. Zara Phillips&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>The Olympic Park in Stratford will have the world&rsquo;s largest...</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>McDonald's</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Tower</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> Rollercoaster</p>
  • <p> Answer: A. McDonald's&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>Tom Daley is one of the youngest members of Team GB. In which sport does he compete?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A.</strong> Synchronised swimming&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>B. </strong>Kayaking</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>Diving</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>C. Diving</p>
  • <p> <strong>Danny Boyle will direct the opening ceremony, which will include live animals. What was the name of his 2008 Oscar winning film?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>How to Marry a Millionaire</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Slumdog Millionaire</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>Who Wants To Be A Millionaire</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>B.&nbsp;Slumdog Millionaire</p>
  • <p> <strong>The Olympic Stadium can seat how many people?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>8,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> 18,000</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>80,000</p>
  • <p> </p> <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>C.<strong>&nbsp;</strong>80,000</p>
  • <p> <strong>Which medal do you get for coming third?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A.</strong> Silver&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>B. </strong>Bronze</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> Gold</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong> B. Bronze</p>
  • <p> <strong>How many medals did Team GB get at the Beijing Olympics in 2008?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> 37</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> 47</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>C.&nbsp;47</p>
  • <p> <strong>Who will captain the Great Britain football team?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A. </strong>Ryan Giggs &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>B. </strong>David Beckham</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> Steven Gerrard &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
  • <p> </p> <p> <strong>Answer: </strong>A.<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Ryan Giggs &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> <strong>When was the last time Britain hosted the Summer Olympics?</strong></p> <p> <strong>A.</strong> 1908</p> <p> <strong>B. </strong>1948</p> <p> <strong>C. </strong>1988</p>
  • <p> <strong>Answer:</strong>&nbsp;B.&nbsp;1948</p>
  • <p> <strong>Where were the ancient Olympics held? And which country also hosted them when they were revived in 1896?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>A.</strong> Italy</p> <p> <strong>B.</strong> Greece</p> <p> <strong>C.</strong> France</p>