Bearded Theory’s Ofsted Registered Festival School

Eloise on the decks, learning to DJ
Future DJ?

In 2014 I wrote an article about taking children out of school for festivals, as due to a change in the law, authorised absences can no longer be given by schools. Of course as editor of this website I continue to maintain that music festivals are educational places for children and that it is worth taking them out of school, although I believe this should be done with the permission of the school. Growing up at festivals my children have participated in many workshops – in art, fabrics and weaving, woodworking, stone carving, pottery, cooking, science, drama, nature and forest skills, dj-ing, music, dance and much more. They have gained confidence in themselves and social skills in making friends and have learned to express themselves freely. Festivals are an amazing learning opportunity for our children, they encourage learning through play which has been proven many times as the best way for young children to learn. Read more…

New rules make it illegal to take children out of school for holidays

P1060830In September 2013, the rules on taking children out of school in term time changed. Schools are no longer allowed to grant term time holiday for festivals.

Before September 2013, headteachers could approve absences of up to 10 days a year for family holidays in “special circumstances” – which for many families included festivals during term time. The new rules, however, state that absences are only allowed for “exceptional circumstances” such as funerals of family members. Read more…

Taking children out of school for a festival

Can you justify taking children out of school to attend a festival?

UPDATE: New rules make it illegal to take your children out of school for a festival. READ MORE HERE.

This is an issue I am sure many parents have faced since schools are tightening up on authorised absences.  Some schools will authorise time off in term time in exceptional circumstances.  Some more enlightened Heads understand what a wonderful experience certain festivals can be for a child.  Others will refuse point blank, and some may even fine families for taking their children out of school without authorisation.

Read more…

What do children learn at festivals?

vicki and festival kidsI love festivals, everyone knows that!

My reasons for going to them have over the years changed and my circumstances have certainly changed. Before it was all about me and my friends, now it’s not just about me and my friends; it’s also about my son and considering my reasons for taking him.

I want him to enjoy going to to festivals and have plenty of wonderful experiences from going, and from those experiences he can hopefully benefit every day.

At the grand old age of 3 (nearly 4) he already talks about and looks forward to his festival holidays. He is unaware of how much he learns from going to them, but such life experiences are hard to find elsewhere.

All this made me reflect on what those experiences can teach him? How can he develop from them?

Read more…

Get Festivals on the National Curriculum!

Pitta Bread making workshop – complete with Bedouin history lesson

What can kids learn from their festival experience?

People often ask me why I take my children to festivals. Sometimes I get the distinct impression that they think I am just dragging them along to something I enjoy and they have no choice but to put up with it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The overriding reason we go as a family is because we ALL enjoy it.  The kids don’t endure it – they actively look forward to it. But when I reflect on why I am so keen to support their love of festivals, it comes down to the benefits I perceive them to be getting.

There is so much opportunity for learning in Read more…

Bearded Theory’s Ofsted Registered Festival School

Eloise on the decks, learning to DJ
Future DJ?

In 2014 I wrote an article about taking children out of school for festivals, as due to a change in the law, authorised absences can no longer be given by schools. Of course as editor of this website I continue to maintain that music festivals are educational places for children and that it is worth taking them out of school, although I believe this should be done with the permission of the school. Growing up at festivals my children have participated in many workshops – in art, fabrics and weaving, woodworking, stone carving, pottery, cooking, science, drama, nature and forest skills, dj-ing, music, dance and much more. They have gained confidence in themselves and social skills in making friends and have learned to express themselves freely. Festivals are an amazing learning opportunity for our children, they encourage learning through play which has been proven many times as the best way for young children to learn. Read more…

Taking children out of school for a festival

Can you justify taking children out of school to attend a festival?

UPDATE: New rules make it illegal to take your children out of school for a festival. READ MORE HERE.

This is an issue I am sure many parents have faced since schools are tightening up on authorised absences.  Some schools will authorise time off in term time in exceptional circumstances.  Some more enlightened Heads understand what a wonderful experience certain festivals can be for a child.  Others will refuse point blank, and some may even fine families for taking their children out of school without authorisation.

Read more…

Get Festivals on the National Curriculum!

Pitta Bread making workshop – complete with Bedouin history lesson

What can kids learn from their festival experience?

People often ask me why I take my children to festivals. Sometimes I get the distinct impression that they think I am just dragging them along to something I enjoy and they have no choice but to put up with it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The overriding reason we go as a family is because we ALL enjoy it.  The kids don’t endure it – they actively look forward to it. But when I reflect on why I am so keen to support their love of festivals, it comes down to the benefits I perceive them to be getting.

There is so much opportunity for learning in Read more…

New rules make it illegal to take children out of school for holidays

P1060830In September 2013, the rules on taking children out of school in term time changed. Schools are no longer allowed to grant term time holiday for festivals.

Before September 2013, headteachers could approve absences of up to 10 days a year for family holidays in “special circumstances” – which for many families included festivals during term time. The new rules, however, state that absences are only allowed for “exceptional circumstances” such as funerals of family members. Read more…

What do children learn at festivals?

vicki and festival kidsI love festivals, everyone knows that!

My reasons for going to them have over the years changed and my circumstances have certainly changed. Before it was all about me and my friends, now it’s not just about me and my friends; it’s also about my son and considering my reasons for taking him.

I want him to enjoy going to to festivals and have plenty of wonderful experiences from going, and from those experiences he can hopefully benefit every day.

At the grand old age of 3 (nearly 4) he already talks about and looks forward to his festival holidays. He is unaware of how much he learns from going to them, but such life experiences are hard to find elsewhere.

All this made me reflect on what those experiences can teach him? How can he develop from them?

Read more…