Traveling With Kids: School's In Or Out?

There are differing opinions on whether parents should take their children out of school to travel. Some parents believe that the benefits of travel outweigh the drawbacks of missing school. They argue that travel is a rich learning experience that allows children to explore new cultures and gain valuable life skills. Others argue that taking children out of school can be detrimental to their education and cause them to fall behind in their studies. There are also practical considerations, such as the cost of travel during school holidays and the impact on working parents who may not be able to take time off during term time. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to take children out of school to travel is a personal one that depends on various factors, including the child's age, the length of the trip, and the family's circumstances.

The benefits of travel for children

Travel is an enriching experience for children, offering them a multitude of benefits that will serve them well throughout their lives. From enhancing their education to building their self-esteem, travel can have a profoundly positive impact on a child's development and outlook. Here are some of the key advantages of taking your children on travels:

Educational Benefits

Travel provides children with a wealth of learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Visiting historical sites, such as the Taj Mahal, brings history to life and sparks curiosity and imagination. Travel also exposes children to different cultures, languages, religions, and cuisines, fostering cultural awareness and an appreciation for diversity. They learn about the world and its people, gaining valuable knowledge and experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting.

Social and Interpersonal Skills

Travelling encourages children to interact with others, including both locals and fellow travellers. They learn to socialise, make friends, and communicate effectively, even with those who speak a different language. This helps build their confidence, adaptability, and tolerance, as they navigate new environments and embrace different cultures. Travel also strengthens family bonds, as families share unique experiences and create lasting memories together.

Problem-Solving and Resilience

Travel often presents unexpected challenges and situations that require problem-solving skills. By navigating these obstacles, children develop resilience and learn to adapt to changing circumstances. They understand that things don't always go according to plan and that setbacks can be overcome with flexibility and creativity. This fosters independence and responsibility, as they learn to manage their belongings and adapt to new environments.

Broadening Horizons and Encouraging Exploration

Travel opens up a world of possibilities for children, igniting their sense of curiosity, imagination, and adventure. They are exposed to new places, people, and experiences, encouraging them to explore and discover. Whether it's trying new foods, learning a few words in a foreign language, or participating in local activities, travel broadens their horizons and nurtures their sense of wonder.

Enhancing Empathy and Open-Mindedness

By interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, children develop empathy and open-mindedness. They learn to respect different cultures and understand that despite our differences, we all share commonalities. This fosters tolerance, acceptance, and a more global perspective, shaping them into compassionate and open-minded individuals.

The drawbacks of missing school

There are several drawbacks to consider when it comes to taking children out of school for travel. Firstly, missing school can result in a child falling behind academically, especially if they are already struggling in school. Catching up on missed lessons and assignments can be challenging, and longer absences may result in the need for summer school. This is particularly true for older students taking advanced classes, who may find it difficult to navigate a week-long absence.

Secondly, there may be legal ramifications for unauthorised absences. Some districts and states have strict truancy rules, which could result in parents being fined or even prosecuted. Even in private schools, where policies may be more lenient, there can be consequences such as not being invited back the following year or receiving zero grades for missed work.

Additionally, taking children out of school for travel can send mixed messages about the importance of education and attendance. It may unintentionally signal that school is optional or less important than other commitments, which could lead to issues with a child's commitment or responsibility.

Furthermore, removing children from school for travel can result in them missing important learning opportunities and foundational skills, especially in the early grades. This can set them back relative to their classmates and affect their academic progress, as learning often compounds over time.

Finally, it is essential to consider the impact on the teacher's workload. Preparing work in advance for students who will be absent can be exhausting for teachers, and it may not even get done by the students. Moreover, teachers are usually not obliged to provide special treatment or extra tutoring to help students catch up upon their return.

The affordability of travelling during term time

The affordability of travel is a key factor in the decision to take children out of school to travel. Travelling during term time can be significantly cheaper than travelling during school breaks, and this is a major reason why parents opt to do so.

Cheaper Flights and Accommodation

Travelling during off-peak times, such as when children are in school, can result in cheaper flights and accommodation. For example, a travel writer shares that their most expensive flight was a business class upgrade from Johannesburg to Tokyo for $350 USD. In contrast, their cheapest flight was a 1.5-hour flight from Phuket to Bangkok for only $17.34 USD. They also note that booking a few weeks in advance can help secure good deals.

Cheaper Activities

The time and flexibility of long-term travel can also result in cost savings. For example, adding extra hours or days between destinations can reduce costs. Additionally, eating local cuisine and cooking your own meals can be more affordable than dining out at restaurants for every meal.

Cheaper Transport

When it comes to transport, using local public transportation or ride-sharing apps can be more cost-effective than renting a car. However, in some cases, such as Atlantic Canada, a rental car may be necessary due to the lack of public transportation options.

Cheaper Overall

Overall, the cost per day of long-term travel can be significantly lower than shorter trips. This is because long-term travellers don't need to fill each day with activities or spend as much on faster modes of transportation.

Weighing the Costs

While travelling during term time can be more affordable, there are other costs to consider. Missing school can impact a child's education and may result in difficulties catching up on missed work. Additionally, there may be legal ramifications and truancy rules to consider, with some districts having very strict policies. Therefore, it is important for parents to understand the potential consequences and make an informed decision about taking their children out of school to travel.

The impact on teachers

Teachers have a variety of opinions on the impact of students taking time off school to travel. Some teachers believe that it is not a problem as long as the parents take responsibility for their child's learning and ensure that they do not fall behind. They may also appreciate ample notice and for the student to hand in any work upon their return. However, other teachers feel that it is disruptive to the class and their teaching schedule, and that it is the teacher who ends up having to do extra work to accommodate the student.

Some teachers feel that parents should not expect any special treatment and that it is not their responsibility to accommodate the student with extra help or make-up tests. They also believe that it is the student's responsibility to find out what work they have missed and to schedule any make-up labs or tests.

Teachers may also feel that it is unfair for them to have to accommodate students who have been taken out of school for a vacation, especially if the parents have not given any notice. They may also feel that it is the teacher who ends up having to do extra work to help the student catch up, which can be a burden.

Overall, the impact on teachers of students taking time off school to travel depends on the individual teacher's perspective and the specific circumstances. Some teachers may be more accommodating than others, and it is important for parents to communicate with the teacher and ensure that their child does not fall behind in their schoolwork.

The legal ramifications of unauthorised absence

Unauthorised absence from school can have several legal ramifications for parents or guardians in the UK. While schools and local councils will often provide warnings and offers of help first, they do have the power to prosecute and fine parents for their child's non-attendance.

If a child is enrolled in school and does not turn up, the school will contact the parent or guardian, even if the child is only absent for one day. The local council's education welfare officer will also get in touch if they believe the child is not receiving a suitable education at home.

In the UK, parents can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice by the Local Authority for their child's non-attendance. This fine is £60 and rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days but is paid within 28 days. If the fine remains unpaid after 28 days, the Local Authority may choose to prosecute the parent. The Local Authority can also choose to prosecute without issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice.

If a child is of compulsory school age and fails to attend school regularly, the parent could be found guilty of an offence under section 444 Education Act 1996. There are two offences under this act:

• Section 444(1) Education Act 1996 states that if a child is absent without authorisation, the parent is guilty of an offence. Sanctions can include a fine of up to £1,000.
• Section 444(1A) Education Act 1996 is an aggravated offence. If a child is absent without authorisation and the parent was aware of the absence and failed to act, the parent is guilty of an offence. Sanctions can include a fine of up to £2,500 and a prison sentence of up to three months.

There are some limited defences to these offences, including if the child is absent due to sickness or an emergency, or if the school is outside of the statutory walking distance of the child's home and the Local Authority has failed to provide transport.

Local councils can also apply for an Education Supervision Order if they believe a child is not being properly educated and the parent is not co-operating. A supervisor will be appointed to help the child and their parents ensure the child receives an education. If parents persistently fail to comply with the supervisor's directions, they may be found guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of up to £1,000.

Additionally, if the Local Authority believes a child is not receiving a suitable education and it is appropriate for them to attend school, they can apply for a School Attendance Order. This requires the child's parents to register the child at a named school. Failure to comply with this order may result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

In the US, the legal ramifications of unauthorised absence vary by state and district. Some districts have very strict truancy rules, with potential consequences including being hauled before a truancy board or, in extreme cases, prosecution. Other districts are more lenient and may only issue warnings or put students on probationary status for frequent absences.

Frequently asked questions