Availability

Posted on 17/09/2021 08:58 by Navigateur

It would be foolish for a site operator to take bookings in advance for every single pitch on a site because there are so many variables that can affect pitches being available when the time comes. Waterlogging, abuse of surface, maintainance, are well known.

Seeing on a web-site that no pitches are available will not be be reflected in the real world - all it shows is that the figure that has been set for bookings has been reached. I would suggest that will be within the range of 85% to 95% of full physical capacity.

Posted on 17/09/2021 07:27 by KeefySher

We've been on 4 CAMC sites in peak holiday periods so far in 2021. None have been full as oft reported on CT. We even booked 5 days before arriving on our last outing at the end of August.

We're booked for the next peak, October half term with no difficulty.  Expect to see another not full site during our stay.

Although there is ability to book 12 months in advance, we don't always get confirmed school holiday dates that far out; but have not got pitches when we want them. We are tied to school holidays for the next year until our daughter finishes senior school. Perhaps then we can enjoy the off peak empty sites at lower prices many report are common place

Posted on 17/09/2021 07:27 by KeefySher

We've been on 4 CAMC sites in peak holiday periods so far in 2021. None have been full as oft reported on CT. We even booked 5 days before arriving on our last outing at the end of August.

We're booked for the next peak, October half term with no difficulty.  Expect to see another not full site during our stay.

Although there is ability to book 12 months in advance, we don't always get confirmed school holiday dates that far out; but have not got pitches when we want them. We are tied to school holidays for the next year until our daughter finishes senior school. Perhaps then we can enjoy the off peak empty sites at lower prices many report are common place

Posted on 17/09/2021 10:06 by Cornersteady

Regarding school holidays, at governors meetings they are always agreed in about January/February for the next academic year. Staff have to know when their legally required190 days will be.

And they have to be given out by the end of that acedemic year in July if not earlier otherwise parents won't when to send their children back. So you will always have at least 13 months notice of the year head, in this case to the end of August 2022.

Provisional dates for 22/23 will exist but usually it's fairly easy to work out children's holiday even then.

Posted on 17/09/2021 16:53 by KeefySher

A fundamental flaw in your reply, COVID-19

We only knew for sure when this term was starting 3 weeks prior to. It was too late to extend our holiday by a week and a half as we were already away and couldn't give the requisite notice at work. There is currently an advisory that half term could be extended to 2 weeks, but week earlier or later is unknown at this point. So in the real world your stated 13 months is incorrect. In our case that is for all state schools in the county. Prior to C-19 there were more fixed calendars throughout our daughters school life.

Last academic year dates were moved from those published due to C-19 and we had to change booked holidays to suit. Also school start dates were changed at short notice.

 

Posted on 17/09/2021 18:47 by Cornersteady

No fundamental flaw at all. I'm not sure what happens in your neck of the woods but as far as I know (as a PT ofsted inspector and governor) no school term dates have been moved or extra 'holidays' added due to covid at all.  It would be illegal to do so. 

Schools are legally required to be open for 190 days per year. Now open means open to staff being in and paid and teaching available (of course that teaching may not be taken up). Yes the premises may be closed but the terms stated on the set and agreed dates still applies and pupils should have be contacted and be set some form of age appropriate work. If your children haven't then contact the school/Ofsted as there is a serious issue there.

Parents will have been given set dates and a parent should count on those only for planning holidays. Those extra days/weeks at half term are not holidays, on the schools I work with any extra time away school within the 190 must have set work.

I'm not sure how last academic years dates could have been changed as there was a lockdown for most of the second term and such changes would have required union and staff agreement, which may have happened. If it did you should not be complaining but rather happy that your child's education was being looked after so well.

I must say what you state (and I'm not doubting you) is from an Ofsted viewpoint worrying, but I'm sure some other inspector will pick it up.

But hopefully things are back to normal now.

Posted on 18/09/2021 17:24 by KeefySher

I'm somewhat alarmed at your lack of comprehension of the real world. 

Perfectly happy with the way our daughter's school has dealt with the pandemic.