Ramsey Grammar School’s ban on students taking holidays during term time is set to start in September.

The Examiner asked members of the public whether they agree with this.

Steve Wade, 54, Onchan, said the ban is a ’good idea’ as having pupils take extra time off would cause additional stress on teachers who are trying to teach the curriculum within term time.

’Could you imagine if it became open season and the students were each taking holidays whenever? Could you imagine all those teachers trying to get those students up-to-date with the curriculum? It will impact the league tables and affect how people see the education system in the Isle of Man,’ he said.

’Parents shouldn’t be blaming the schools for holiday costs. They should be targeting their anger at the companies increasing the prices specifically to catch them at that time.’

His wife, Anne Marie Wade, 51, said: ’How do you keep up if you’re not at school constantly?’

She argued that although parents could give children lessons while on holiday, not all of them would know how to teach complex subjects like algebra.

Amber Carridge, 27, from Douglas, said: ’I was taken out of school when I was younger to go away, but I was taken away on the basis that my siblings and I had to catch up with our lessons. My dad made us ask our teachers for work to take away and we did catch up with it all.

’Going on holidays gives you some sort of education - not one that you can get in your school.’

Stephen Mulhern, 26, Douglas, continued: ’It comes down to the parents and students because if that was me I wouldn’t have done the work.

’Whether the ban is right or not, I’m not inclined to say. The establishment is the establishment. Kids need a decent education and need a routine that cannot swan off, otherwise what kind of message does that send out?’

Douglas resident Wendy Edwards, 50, said: ’The one time I took a holiday off during term time as a kid I was told it had affected my grades, but I don’t think that’s true.

’The school had moved me from a B class to an A one and I was struggling.’

The mother of three said that students already have a lot of time off from school.

’Any more time off and it’s going to affect your grades,’ she said. ’If it’s a holiday then it’s different, but if it’s for other reasons like a family emergencies then that’s all right.’

Emily Keehan, 38, from Peel, thinks pupils should be given about five days of flexible time to take off while school is on. She also thinks a ban like this shouldn’t be imposed on primary schools.

She asked ’What are going to be the ramifications if you’re going to take your children on holiday during term time?’

Paul Wilkinson, 64, from Onchan, agrees with the ban.

He said: ’My son and daughter both played badminton for the island and they had to negotiate with the schools, which had no problem, for time off.

’We wouldn’t have dreamed of taking them out for holiday, but if there was a good reason we’d ask. We’re conscientious parents and we always made sure they never fell behind.’