Integrating American Kids into English Schools | What We Wish We Knew Before Moving!
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- Опубліковано 11 лют 2025
- Welcome to the Haas Family channel! We're Americans living in the beautiful English countryside, and today we’re diving into the realities of integrating our American children into English schools! 🇺🇸🇬🇧
If you're considering moving to England with kids, this video is a must-watch! We’ll cover everything you need to know about:
School uniforms (so different from the U.S.!)
School lunches (what’s on the menu?)
Handling bullying in a new environment
How summer breaks work
Plus, we share the things we wish we knew before moving and what we love (and don’t love) about the English school system. If you're thinking of becoming an expat or moving abroad with your family, this video is packed with helpful tips and experiences that will help make your transition smoother! 🌍👨👩👧👦
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more family adventures, expat tips, and life in the English countryside! Hit the notification bell so you never miss a new video!
#ExpatLife #AmericanInEngland #EnglishSchools #FamilyInUK #SchoolUniforms #MovingToEngland #LifeInUK #ExpatsWithKids #EnglishCountryside #AmericanFamily #LivingAbroad #UKSchoolSystem #UKSchoolLunches #HaasFamily #FamilyVlog #IntegrationTips
I am a retired high school teacher. I started teaching in 1981 and finished in 2016. Over that time I honestly don't think bullying ever became more of a problem. What changed was the awareness and the focus on it. Schools were expected to have very clear policies and strategies in place to deal with bullying. School inspections will expect you to have these and will give you a hard time if they see you're not doing enough. This gives the impression that it is a bigger problem than it really is. Another thing that has changed is that some behaviour in the past that was just thought of as being 'bad behaviour' will nowadays be more readily labelled as bullying if there is a clear victim.
One thing that is new of course is online bullying, which is a nightmare and needs a lot of input from parents to solve.
But clear bullying policies shouldn't concern you. Look at it like the gun laws. We don't have strict gun laws because we have a problem with gun crime. It's to avoid gun crime. So the bullying rules are there to avoid a problem in the first place not solve one.
Thank you for writing such a thoughtful and informative message!
The idea of school uniform is to avoid kids from better-off families wearing expensive "sneakers" or designer label clothes and making the others feel disadvantaged by comparison. It's a leveller. That idea comes unstuck when cynical school uniform retailers exploit a monopoly and jack up prices to the point where many families struggle to outfit their kids. My school in Scotland just specified black blazers, grey trousers and white shirts, which you could buy virtually anywhere that suited your budget.
Yeah Starre and I (as parents) prefer the uniforms. -Jordan
@@haasfamfarm Good for you. They should stand out by their characters and personalities, not their fashions. Being American in an English school is a double-edged sword. Sure, they'll be different, which can be hard, but they're also exotic and that's VERY cool. 😎
In a lot of Baltimore City public schools they have uniforms for this reason
@mattj5492 Nice.
When we spent a year in the UK in Derbyshire in 2005, we told the staff and head that we'd be occasionally taking our kids out of school to do other adventures. We took advantage of cheap flights to Istanbul for 10 days and also did a one week canal boat trip with visiting family. The staff didn't love it but we were just labelled 'that weird Canadian family'. Our kids learned so much on these adventures. Both of us work in the Canadian education system and know very well that all learning doesn't come from books and classrooms. Where we live in Canada there are now 'forest schools' and extensive outdoor education programming. Btw...our 3 boys are now successful,intelligent and happy adults. Missing out on school days for good reasons (travel,family time etc) should not be punished.
Wrt to bullying: it is an issue everywhere. Kids can be mean! The fact that there are policies in place to deal with it and means of reporting it is actually reassuring.
@@mskatonic7240 I found the teachers were the bullies not other students at my school.
The reason we don't take American independence seriously is because we see it as a lucky escape.
😂
Also GB was having one of its almost perenial wars with France at the time what about I don't know
Probably started because they were bored one afternoon.
British kids play outside a lot. It's safe here.
Perfect. We're in to that. And, anecdotally, I do see quite a few kids (and adults, everybody) walking around our village and that is great. -Jordan
Also they don't seem bothered by the weather. I have many memories of my kids playing out in the rain.
School uniforms serve 2 functions, 1 is a leveller so that economic backgrounds aren't obvious and 2) it serves as an identity and ties you to your school, personally I prefer our system to the US system, but I'm biased as I'm born and bred British.
Your kids are great fun! 😂
I enjoy the uniforms as well!
Studies also show School uniforms help children foster a sense of belonging, with resulting mental health benefits.
@@Nerdy4Life oh, that’s very interesting!
There's a third reason which is it teachers children to look after their clothes and gets them used to wearing a suit for when they go to work.
@@haasfamfarm School uniforms also have the benefit, in towns or cities where there are several secondary schools, of identifying the school any kid causing trouble belong to. It's very useful for this reason when children use public transport before or after school with no adult supervision.
I find it hard to believe any school would claim to have handed over the colonies - all due respect to the Haas’ charming older daughter - as most UK schools lean left and take a negative view of British colonialism.
However, it IS a misconception that Britain lost to the US - as there WAS no USA in existence until post the conflict when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Indeed, the conflict was in some ways a British Civil war - with the British Crown defending the territories against what were, of course, British colonial subjects of chiefly British origin (As were the Founding Fathers of mostly British origin - including George Washington himself.)
THAT - and the help afforded the colonists from nefarious rivals of Great Britain like the French and Spanish, who, having long lost out to the British, chose to opportunistically side with the colonialists
Lastly, the War of Independence was a defining point in US history. Yet to the British - on their way to the largest empire in human history a century later (a good or bad thing depending on your point of view) - it was simply another war Britain was fighting across the globe/it’s forces stretched thin/MANY thousands of miles from home as Britain shaped the world we all live in.
It just doesn’t resonate with us like it naturally does with Americans - as it’s not remotely the defining point in Britain’s long history in the way it is for our American cousins.
And, of course, we’re all long-time friends and allies now !
Thank goodness we are friends now! ❤️❤️
Amen to that❤👍
I worked at a Primary School and remember the Headteacher being cross that a child had been taken out of school to go on holiday for two weeks. I naively said that she could catch up those lessons when she came back! The Head looked at me and said “no, that’s it, we won’t be covering those topics again. The curriculum is so full that there are set times to learn everything and anything missed is tough luck! “ Must admit that hadn’t ever occurred to me!
Yeah, it’s just a balance of education in school and education in life
Learn what? After learning how to read and write an arithmetics I spent the next 9 years not really learning anything. All my knowledge comes from television. They don't teach you that much at school, certainly not these days, which was more about indoctrination than education.
Sadly the American revolution is a defining point in American history but in British history it's Thursday.
Wait until Ella discovers how to roll her skirt waistband up.
wait until americans find out that all the 'americans' during the 'revolution' were actually just mostly british born british people.
We were busy fighting the French Empire, to be bothered with a few Brits who we deported to the America's, never to return, thank Christ. So sad to hear a child love food so much, and the parents not to point out that the reason is English food doesn't have the additives that are bad for children in particular, as in the chicken isn't wash in bleach. And why don't you tell your kids the true history of your country, for instance, who the true pioneers were, in the 13 colony's, are you afraid.
Bullying policies were implemented in all schools due to a couple of high profile bullying deaths of kids.
Most schools have tight policies around parents or relatives being on school grounds. They've even stopped my niece running to me when I've picked her up from primary school without checks on me. Even though she was shouting my name across the school yard!
...ish, We had Childline (1986) and the Children Act (1989) and a culture of risk assessments. The schools would be hung out to dry if something happened & they couldn't show they had it covered.
The fine issue is a bit draconian, but unfortunately was necessary as far too many parents were taking kids out of schools too much and it was shown to be having a detrimental effect on grades. You can still ask the Head for authorisation and providing its not every term you're likely to be granted permission.
Back in the day, there was a song about school dinners that went :
School dinners, school dinners,
Concrete chips, concrete chips,
Soggy samolina, soggy samolina,
I feel sick, Get the bucket quick,
It's too late, I've done it on the plate,
(Do sick sound)...
Oldest daughter looks like mum, youngest daughter looks like dad 😁
People always say that but both ways! ❤️❤️
The term y’all originated in the Southwest UK, as did AAVE and other words Americans use . Also, the American Revolution was a British Civil War as 80% of those involved were British.
Indeed and it was fought on British territory over British taxes.
Don't forget to support your local football (soccer)team. Love and peace from Wolverhampton England
Definitely! We are rugby fans though 🥰
Cricket is fine and money is being spent encouraging girls to play. @@haasfamfarm
Bullying and absenteeism are a major reasons why some kids underperform at school. It's something schools have take seriously. There is a lot of competition between schools in the UK, and they all want to make sure that their own report card looks good. It leads to schools taking a more regimental approach to learning. That's fine for traditionalists, but it's not a system that encourages individuality.
I agree.
I’d say British kids likely have more individuality because not everything is school centred. Sports bring the main one.
Daughter No2 is wearing a pinafore dress, or "pinnie". It's very Mary Poppins / pre swinging sixties school attire. The term the big 'un was looking for to describe her skirt was "kilt".
@@ethelmini thanks!
The material is tartan. So you would say it is made of McKenzie Tartan.
All schools are required to have a policy around bullying, but that doesn't necessarily mean that bullying is particularly an issue in English schools. Hopefully most times it isn't.
❤️❤️🐎
Mackenzie tartan.
It's five consecutive days for a fine or excessive absence usually under 90%. As for bullying I would guess in America and the UK it's similar levels, but here they have made a concerted effort to stamp it out after some toxic online bullying that resulted in some young children taking their own lives. As for the holidays, it's done to prevent burn out by giving regular breaks during the year.
Who in their right mind issues fines for absence!!
@@noelle3551 The old UK government! Conservatives pandering to the worst of their base support.
P.s forgot to add that the holidays in the UK tend to be either religion based or for agricultural reasons. So Christmas and Easter are obvious, October half term is for the harvest where traditionally all the root vegetables would be harvested and pickled so children had the week of to help. Feb half termis around Lambing, seeding etc, main summer holidays was for hay baling, crop gathering etc. Entire school year based on Victorian child labour practices wonderful
Your daughter's are so funny and lovely, well done to you for bringing them up so well . P.s my best friend is American,he moved to the UK aged 3 and lost his mum a year after. He lived on the same road as are family, so we virtually adopted him 😊. He moved back to USA with his family (Colorado) . He wants to move back to the uk eventually, he feels like the UK is home for him. Love your videos ❤.
Thank you! 😃 I hope he gets to come back! Thanks for supporting us!
What a lovely family and such confident kids ❤
The food standard organisation here in the UK are much more involved in making sure the quality of the food comes better and i can understand why your daughter taste bud is enjoying it.
When in USA you have 12 weeks summer holiday. Who looks after the kids if you have to work.
In the 1960 s in my village school we had no uniforms . Only when you went too the high school did you have a school uniform
May i ask what your view is on the 'sets' in high school? Sets being that children are divided into groups depending on their ability. eg top set for those children that are excelling in that subject and bottom sets for those that are struggling and need extra help and of course the many in between sets.
Do they have similar in the US? Or is it mixed ability in classes and if you don't pass your grade you have to repeat a year?
We do eat popcorn! My husbands favourite snack!
To be fair you are right, the culture of childhood and teenage years has completely changed from what it was, I grew up in the 1970s and my father grew up in the 1940s yet our childhood was pretty similar. There has also been a massive study that has just been published about a prevalence of short sightedness in children as a consequence of time spent on phones/tablets/laptops.
Your kids seem to be very well balanced, congratulations...
That is such a kind compliment! Thank you so much! We do the best we can. Where are you in the UK?
@@haasfamfarm I'm in Carmarthenshire, Wales. But I've lived in Germany, Israel, West Virginia and India. I actually dated a high school English teacher in West Virginia..
Hopefully it is just peer pressure and not bullying, if your children are confident enough they will find their own feet. The 4 day fine is new to me - as I am Scottish educated. Scotland has its own educational system which differs. I wouldn’t say it was better or worse. In a couple of years ( which may seem a lifetime to your girls at the moment) will soon pass. And things will hopefully seem different. All the very best to you all. Rab from Scotland❤
Alaska 18 is adulthood but you can't drink an till your 21. That's so odd. Here its 18 for both. Remember that 16 years is consenting age in the UK, like some States but not all States in the US. Children here are taught to grow up faster, ready for adulthood and the employment world at 18 years. There's also Sixth Form for 16 years old's, before attending College then University, if you wish them to go down that road.
When I left school it was straight in to employment for me at 16 years of age. No college or further education. Back then 16 year old's where much tougher and much more prepared for employment, as there was no distractions like mobile phones or the internet.
why would you think people dont eat popcorn ? go to the cinema, go to any tesco. I never saw any real bullying at school, american bullying on tv was always weird to me, cliques never existed at any schools ive been to, too. My family would travel at different points of the year, like you get 3 day and 4 day weekends a lot and we'd sometimes do like a city break for a couple days in germany, spain, netherlands etc, then, maybe a few days or week at christmas, then a few days or week in spring then another week to 2 weeks in summer. we travelled more than most but we werent rich, package deals are just so cheap, my holiday last year in spain was £119 per person this included flights, all inclusive hotel, busses etc. In general we would like the parents involved as little as possible in eduation, missing school is so so so detrimental to the child, especially in the uk when were always studying for real tests and teachers dont control the grades, the idea of taking them out of school is so absurd to me its almost offensive, theres plenty of time off to travel and of course you book in advance.
Taking children out of school can have a detrimental effect on their education. There are plenty of school holidays to take breaks and by the time the half term comes around the children are usually ready for a rest.
30:45... The New South Wales school year normally consists of a 6 week Xmas summer holiday & 4 school terms of approximately 2 months each. Each split up by a 2 week holiday.
Easy to plan getaways beforehand.
Oh wow! I love that!
Same In the UK but obviously we are North so 6 weeks summer hols is July and Sept ❤ and half term One week hols ...2 week hols are Easter and Christmas xx
When I was in secondary school in the '60s we were taught that the events of the late 1770s were basically a British Civil War fought in British America by honourable British people who disagreed with other honourable British people. One side won the other lost and the USA was created at the Treaty of Paris.
What Americans will never be taught and which is pretty important is that in the 1770s the 13 colonies were really not that important to Britain in global terms. The northern regions of British America (what became British North America after the war and later Canada) were far more valuable along with India and of course the British were far more concerned about defeating the Spanish and French close to home. Which they did.
To say the colonies were 'given up' is just wrong but its a fact it was better to lose the 13 colonies to similar minded people than lose to the French at home. In fact the French made a major strategic mistake by supporting the rebels in British America with a big naval presence and experienced troops. It cost them dear economically as the new USA preferred trading with the UK who of course gave big support to the the new USA. The Jay Treaty of 1794 granted the United States "most favored nation" status in commercial trade with Great Britain.
Interesting.
Summer holidays were the time and length because that's when the harvest had to be brought in.
I much prefer the holidays in the UK as they are split over the year unlike in the US where you have one big holiday...and being off so long I'd feel my kids were loosing out on an education and forgotten a lot by the time they get back to school....finally the middle school concept I think is better as we used to have middle school in some areas in the UK a very long time ago and feel it works better, but only from a point that your kids don't grow up to fast....its hard I agree sending your kid to school from primary to secondary at age 11 to see them mixing and listening to 16 and 18 year old in the same school....
How will you feel when both of your children have English accents? When they say "Mummy it's not waarrer it's water".
I will LOVE it. It’s my favorite accent in the world 🥰 Where are you in the UK?
@@haasfamfarm I live just outside Gloucester in Hucclecote.
The education act was established when a large part of the country was very rural based farming. The children in the family were expected to help with the harvest. The long summer break was established to give the children freedom from school to help harvest the crops.
West Midlands.
The same with mid-term breaks. The October break was always called "The Tattie Holidays" in Scotland as that was the potato harvest and all the children were needed out in the fields.
The fines are stupid. You can legally homeschool kids here, so you should be able to take your kids out.
Frankly, the thought of parents going to school for lunch is horrific to me. Helicopter parenting is not acceptable here. Having your parents turn up for lunch would guarantee bullying for the rest of your school life.
Don't agree with taking kids out of school whenever you want but do agree with parents leaving kids alone at school.
That is a pinafore skirt, not a dress.
Ok, random tip - and I'm pretty sure you can do it online - but definitely get the kids to learn Touch-Typing.
I had dreadful hand writing at school and eventually my teachers "gave up" and forced me to learn typing - literally the most useful skill in my arsenal and I use it virtually all day every day. There's the world of difference betweeen typing with 2x fingers and typing with all fingers (and thumbs) speed-wise. It'll always stay with them and seriously improve their time in the workplace. It's also a pretty easy skill to master at their age.
Weirdly, I'm pretty good with musical instruments, but drawing and handwriting, Im dreadful at.
Visiting/lunch with the kids in school would be "socially difficult" for them 🤣
Definitely ask about long-weekends out of school, you might get a "yes" and you can always try to sell it to the school as "educational".
I guess that safety must also be a difference. I know that sadly there are crazy people everywhere, but UK schools are much safer. Our kids had to do fire drills but certainly not “shooter” drills.
Yes, UK schools are way safer without guns.
You need to try Butterkist Toffee popcorn, if you haven't already.
Haven't but promise I'll try. -Jordan
@@haasfamfarm I saw an old video of yours the other day, when you bought some microewavable popcorn from Sainsbury's. I believe that was Butterkist...but next to the microwavable popcorn, was Butterkist popcorn in a bag, including Toffee flavour.
As a teacher of 32 years, the bullying thing is a bit like the "Head and Shoulders" ad. By having the policies in place it means any potential problems are nipped in the bud.
I’m about 70 my older sister 1 year older had to wear a straw bonnet as part of her uniform. I gave up and wore Beatles collarless stufff didn’t go down to well
Your oldest is so like you and the younger one favours her dad. You look like good fun. Welcome.
Thanks so much! Where are you in the Uk? ❤️
Of course we eat popcorn in the UK!
And Yanks wonder why there not loved around the world, there lost when they leave there own borders.
❤️❤️
I buy popping corn in Tesco's and pop it myself.
Sweet popcorn is popular in the UK. I was shocked when there was only salt popcorn in the US cinema I went to.
Different schools - sometimes even in same area - have different or longer/shorter half term weeks.
We tried going skiing in France with cousins last February half term and our kids had 1 well offset from their schools in Suffolk so we weren’t aligned. But it could help a bit with flight costs I guess as not everyone is going for the same 1 or 2 weeks
That’s true with the flights
There are a few areas which have Junior, Middle and High schools but I think the majority of English, Welsh and Scottish schools have Junior/Primary and Senior schools change at 11yo.
I am not a parent but think uniforms make a group of pupils look good wearing a standard outfit. Secondary school I attended in the 1950s had uniforms, some adjustments made over the yeas with more modern styles.
Junior schools in the main only serve small areas, secondary schools require buses or other transport.
In Scotland some secondary schools have pupils in residence for the week, only going home at weekend using a ferry.
While the summer school break is shorter than USA, do schools here have more breaks of a week or two through the year? One bad effect of the short summer break is many people want holidays at same time which can result in higher charges during those periods.
Hope you all enjoy your time in England.
Thank you! Yeah, we just love to travel and 6 weeks is too short for us.
When it comes to school holidays you are right to complain about the flight seat pricing and it’s always been like that! The obvious next comment of course you need to look up alternative overseas travel! If you have a vehicle that you are confident with its serviceability then you have other avenues such as cross channel ferries and the channel tunnel that’s just to get you on the continent of course and you drive from there. There is of course train travel on its own where you decide on a destination travel on the train to get there and hire a car when you’re there. In the UK of course there is the package holidays which can make things easier for families which usually contain travel and hotels or even all inclusive holiday destinations to Sun sea and sand of course are the big drawers for summer from the UK of course!
I think it’s worth checking out the different methods of travel to get the whole picture and now is a good time to look at the package holidays looking for early deals. With the car serviceability aspect the RAC and the AA can look after breakdown over the channel with a bit of extra cost of course, which may or may not be useful to you.
Another thing as the kids get older I believe the schools have school trips to Europe which the kids can go on as well!
Nowadays I think all this needs to be researched to be honest! So make up your minds what you want. Eurocamp is a cheep alternative using big tents and cabins as a base rather than hotels or apartments.
Good luck to you and your family, I hope you have a great year with all the separated holiday weeks in the UK!
Cheers all!
Harvest Festival:
This a very traditional thing here in the UK. Its roots go back hundreds of years to church services that give thanks for bringing in the Harvest in the early Autumn because if it failed or was short then you were in for a hungry Winter! 🙂
Schools:
Some, but not many, places in the UK do have what we call "Tertiary" Education.
In my hometown Years 1 to 6 go to Primary School (Infants and then Juniors), Years 7 to 9 go to a Middle School then Years 10 onwards go to an Upper School.
Flight Prices During School Holidays:
Well, that's Capitalism for you! 😉
Great Kids, I’m sure they will have a great time at school. 👍
Thank you 🥰
Your kids are great, already showing two very different personalities.
I grew up without ever needing a school uniform however it was in the 70's and 80's, maybe a uniform would have helped me avoid some real fashion disasters? My perception is that the stricter the uniform code the more the child will rebel against constraints, so maybe it's a good thing? My sister had a very strict dress code, so tried to get her skirts and ties as short as possible, also tying her blouse into a halter top, good girl! Strict uniforms can also be a sign of a privileged school with a direct line to a top university, don't let your kids get too arrogant.
The English/American thing? Back in 1976 I lived in a town in North East England called Washington, it's the ancestral home of George. His folks were plantation owners that moved out to the colonies. Jimmy Carter came out here on the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and thanked us for providing the vast majority of the Founding Fathers and revolutionary leaders. Jimmy even planted a cherry tree in Washington Old Town next to the Washington Manor. He didn't say it was a coup, and at the age of seven I would never have known what a coup was. But there it is. Us Brits and Yanks are far more connected than we care to admit.
EDIT: There was so much more I wanted to discuss with you guys, you raised some really interesting points I'd never considered. Maybe next time?
You can ask to take them out. For instance I think if you were planning to visit family in America for Xmas I doubt the school would object to releasing them a couple of days early.
@@geoffmelvin6012 you really think so?
@@haasfamfarm Yes, definitely. Ask early and before you book flights etc
..
I think it would depend on their attendance. If they haven't missed school days then it will be more likely that you could have a couple of days extra leave.
I know the policy has changed this school year and has become more strict. Its always worth asking.
My youngest is in high school and they've had a rejig of term dates so he gets three weeks off over Christmas instead of two.
@@haasfamfarmit may be easier as your oldest isn’t doing GCSEs yet. When you get to those or A levels there’s a lot more scrutiny
Your girls seem to be super people - well done! Welcome to you all from me (Essex, England FYI 😁)
so 1776 in reality was pretty miniscule for us, compared to our battles and wars with Napoleon and France (and Europe in general). George III didn't go crazy because he lost the colonies (he was on the throne a long time until his death 1820) he went "mad" because he was developing dementia. So the loss of the Thirteen Colonies was like "blah." for more important matters. ".
Fining in schools is relatively new. My youngest is 30 no fining when she was at school.
Is it really? I wonder why they started
@@haasfamfarm It's a government policy. Schools are assessed on their attendance record as well, so they have an extra incentive to keep kids in school.
I hope your 'crying period' is over now Starre, at least with regard to the tensions and frustrations of moving to another country - which is probably one of the most difficult things to do.
Thank you! It is! ❤️
Be grateful that your girls are getting a decent education compared with what is on offer in the USA.
All education systems have their strengths and weaknesses. ❤️
@@haasfamfarm Check the PISA scores.
Half term is in 1 week February & 1 week in October. Easter is 2 weeks break, Christmas is 2 weeks break, summer is roughly 6 weeks break. Then they get a few single days off during the year. We used to call them TEACHER TRAINING DAYS, but not sure what they're called now., or if they even exist. My youngest daughter is 29, so it's been 13 years since she left school for good.
@@jules.8443 and 1 week in May
Knew those teacher training days as Baker days
@@johnleonard9090 I have heard of that. Yorkshire call them TRAINING DAYS.
Turning up to eat with your kids, your inviting them to be bullied.
@@KernowWarrior not in elementary school in America
My children's primary school in our Kent village has set days when pupils can invite a parent or grandparent to lunch.
Interesting that they covered US Independence at school at all. 40 years ago when I was doing my history O Level it was mentioned in passing, but only really as background to events closer to home. The course was more 19th century UK politics, the Industrial Revolution and European and Asian relations. The US just didn’t feature much from the 1790s until it joined WW1, and since the course finished with Irish Independence that wasn’t much. I think the War Of 1812 wasn’t mentioned at all despite British forces burning down half of Washington, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t even find out it had happened until I was an adult.
What isn't mentioned especially in the US is that the burning down of the WH was reprisal as the Americans had tried to burn down the Canada administration buildings beforehand. Also many Brits are ignorant of the fact.
I expect that they will become accustomed to uniforms. It is much easier and helps build a sense of loyalty, camaraderie and pride in the school, while eliminating the all too common peacock syndrome. I think, though I am not sure, that the major difference is that English schools have three terms, whereas US schools typically have four terms. Bullying us not a big issue, but schools are obliged to keep a very close watch, because legally, they are in loco parentis.
When I think of bullying, I always think of Mean Girls, Pretty in Pink and Clueless. All set in American high schools.
I really like the uniforms. Makes everything easier.
Hey dad! Think this is bad.Wait until the 3 of them become a team? 'Kick off' time. Get a shed built now.Youll need it sooner than you think.
He defo needs a shed, from experience
Having 2 young kids myself, bullying is more a focus in schools here as in the main its not tolerated and all sorts of creative ways are used to stop forms of bullying and in the main because it's closely monitored it's not that prevalent in most schools now, but still exists but not as much as a problem it was in days gone by...most of the bullying is mainly name calling in the UK however once you stand up to a bully it stops usually...well it did with my youngest 😂
We definitely do eat popcorn
😂
Always wondered about Children going from US to UK schools or Vice Versa having to deal with the different word spelling ... i.e Colour/Color and if the schools allow for this
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I still don't know how to tie a tie to this day. I remember my mum tied my tie for me on that first day at secondary school and that knot stayed in for the next four years. Edited to ask: Do they still serve 'Manchester Tart' in school? Pastry base, layer of jam, then custard covered in sprinkles. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm Manchester Tart. Yeah, the American Revolution is really just a footnote in British history. You have to remember just how big the empire was; 65 countries gained independence from Britain, America was one of them. When I was at school it was only really brought up as part of the much more important (to Britain) Seven Years War. Oh yes! Puberty! That's a whole new roller coaster ride for you as parents. Good Luck!🤣
The girls are great - really lively and entertaining 😊
You've got two lovely kids.
That’s very kind! Thank you!
Interesting comments from your daughter about the 'short' summer holiday. I guess when your family is an ocean away you feel you need more time. But it made me think that because Europe is so compact we are used to being able to go abroad easily. It's only a couple of hours by plane to Spain for example. So six weeks is easily long enough. It also means that going abroad at half term for a few days is feasible so some people have short breaks during the year. We're going to Budapest for three days at half term, for example.
With the USA being so huge I suppose even travel within the country is time consuming let alone going abroad. It blows my mind that you can be in a plane for four hours or more and land in the same country! Three hours from here and you're in Moscow. Four hours and I doubt if you're still in Europe.
A direct flight from New York City to Los Angeles is 6-7 hours!
Nice to see my City's Hoodie on Jordan.
Mine too as I was born in Cowley but his is the University not the City which are two very different things.
I love half terms.
Definitely excited for the October one!
I have twins (boy & girl) they're coming up to 15, my Daughter is definitely a moody teenager now 😫, my Son is still chilled out.
❤️❤️
the girls look very smart I'm sure they will have many friends, theres something to be said about learning the old way with books and hands on skills far to much emphasise on tech it ain't good,at least you have a great home where they can spend time outside with the animals and theres always plenty to do,you have a luvly family.
Thank you!
the fines for absences have only come into effect in the last 10 to 15 years, basically poorer families couldnt afford flights during the summer school holidays and half terms so poorer families would take holidays during term time. nowadays the poorer families can never get a foreign holiday.
this country hates the poor and will always tax any form of fun they have, cheap flight taxes, indirect taxes like fines for taking cheap holidays during term time, taxes on alcohol they tax anything that is cheap and can benefit or be fun for the poor.
I was taken out of school during term time when I was 14 for a family holiday to Butlins. I'm now learning at the age of 42 that I in fact grew up poor. I never even realised.
School uniforms are to keep costs down for the parents. School uniforms do partially level every one up, but it's not perfect. You still get skanky kids and neat kids and stylish kids and posh kids and emo kids and outkast kids and whatever.
I really like the uniforms. Way easier to me ❤️
2 lovely bright daughters but I bet scarlet is a handful, shes very bright...Ella is so funny
It's weird that they said we gave them the US the land XD, pretty sure in our history text books, the war of independence/revolutionary war IS mentioned, not in much detail but it IS there, so I don't really know why the teacher would try and ignore that XD
Usually its touched on very briefly, but not in detail so I'll just say that is not how its normally taught (just in case you think it is) its very brief and not detailed but we do learn that a war did take place, not that we just gave you land!
It probably would be taught in a different way because we had plenty of colonies becoming independent so its not going to be looked on with the same detail and importance as our other historic events that directly affected our country.
Though if similar things are focused on at School that I learnt, then your kids will eventually learn about the US, with the Cold War and the Gold Rush (Brits/Americans moving to the US and starting their lives from scratch and how hard that was) which were big subjects I focused on but I don't know how similar it will be since it has been many years since I was in school.
You can get permission for time off, but truanting is a big problem in UK schools , also it's an expensive resource and families taken children out of school is taken as undervaluing the importance of education .
Often only allowed if one or both parents have no choice as to when leave can be taken as with Armed Forces personnel. I worked for an employer and were allocated our leave periods but the rota was published, one could work out one's duties and leave periods 5+ years ahead. A change for any future year could be applied for, if unsuccessful it was sometimes possible to arrange a mutual exchange with someone doing the same job at the same location.
exactly, its honestly disgusting to me that some people think its ok to just take their kids out of education knowing that they will be behind and miss so much and with the extensive time off you already have throughout the year. Book a package holiday for next to nothing, beyond cheap when you actally have time off. No one americans have such a difference in their levels of education, i can imagine so so so many kids just miss vitally important stuff due to this and the fact tha teachers determine the grades in the usa, they dont have key stage 3, GCSE, A-Levels etc in american schools you can get inflated grades if the teachers are generous or dont give a shit or are lenient or dont want you to fail etc etc
Let's hope your school sees this and improves the 🍕 lol
@@bodizmoner2838 😂
Not much chance of overheating in the UK.
What nice kids.
Thank you! Where are you in the UK?
The penalisation of parents for taking kids out of school is based on the knowledge that even one day out of school can impair their SATS scores later, there have been studies, so they know it affects learning. And of course many parents have historically just taken the mick. There must be a reason why Arkansas is one of the five lowest academically achieving states. Looking on the bright side, if you can make the case to the school for the educational benefits of an overseas trip, you can get special dispensation 🙂.
Well, we are now homeschooling ❤️
Why do you think it is okay to disrupt your child's education to go on holiday. How do you expect them to catch up on lessons missed. Regarding uniforms, they are a great leveller. No-one has 'brand labels' as they all dress the same. Re dad meeting his daughter for lunch - why? You will see her when she gets home. Sadly, so many children come from broken families so no dad on the scene. Plus your daughter is of an age where dad turning up would be an embarrassment. Not cool dad.
Respectfully, you have made a lot of assumptions of how we think as well as our values. Education is not a fixed term and shouldn’t be uniform. While I absolutely want my children in school, we believe travel is essential FOR education. Second, eating lunch with our younger daughter which would be considered elementary school in America is a gift to the children. They get very excited. While I have a growth mindset and am open to differing opinions, I ask that you try do the same before making such stark assumptions. ❤️
@haasfamfarm Equally respectfully, it is you with the youtube channel. Presumably you put yourselves out there for a reason. You must have expected your audience to have a reaction to what you say on the channel based on their own 'assumptions' and personal life experiences. I'm really sorry if I've offended you with my 'assumptions' but all I saw in this particular vlog was your girls complaining about the uniform, you complaining that Dad can't have lunch with his daughter whilst she is at school and your disbelief that school terms can't be altered to suit you. The school year is 39 weeks which leaves 13 weeks to take holidays. Need I say more. You chose to live in the UK and put your children into our school system so I'm afraid, like it or not, you need to embrace all that the UK offers even if it can be annoying sometimes. Sorry if you find my views disrespectful. It wasn't intended.
Life is much more cheaper and easy to live here when compared to the states. Am dreading the cost i will pay for my data using esim and it will be as much as £60 which would still not be enough for what i use here.
For a tenner ( i.e. £10) you can pick up a 50G data.
True!
American independence we were busy else where & the Caribbean was more profitable. Can I say that? Lol
Also Napolean was running wild across Europe and threatening to invade, much bigger fish to fry.
I do not think.buulying is anymore prevalent here in the UK. I just think we are more concerned about it , thank god for that .The powers that be are trying to make it a thing of the past.
Interesting!
We do eat popcorn, but we don't butter it.
There's many things you are missing and probably ignored in america. Bullying happens in every country and mostly online, and I bet in america. If you get all states and see how much bullying goes on, I guarantee it's massive with the uk we are a smaller country so we hear what other areas and unfortunately bulling has caused kids to commit suicide that's why all schools have a bullying policy (I will give u a example I bet u didn't hear about school shootings around america on your local news) we are a smaller nation and regarding taking your kids out of school we as a nation find education is more important than taking them on a trip
Depends on what you consider education.
@haasfamfarm Every day in school is important for the education of your children. That's why parents are given fines. Even parents who don't listen and continue taking their children out of school without permission can be imprisoned. That's how important we as a nation believe education is important to the next generation...
@haasfamfarm so do you think your children's education isn't important brcaise you want a long weekend? The children have many breaks in the year because you think taking your kids away in school holidays is too expensive yes it can be but many parents in this country book early also you can do late bookings which many holiday's abroad are very cheap as we are very close to many countries, if you book a flight only and look online for accommodation directly you can get some great holiday's cheaply which I have done many times with my children in the past.
@haasfamfarm I'm going to make one more comment as your comment annoyed me, if you don't like how our laws and our education system works can I ask why did you move here if you don't like the system? There are thousands of expats who have moved to here and accepted our laws, education system, etc, also believe the education their kids receives is much better than other countries...and before you say that I'm against other people coming here legally I'm not I think it makes nations better...
You understand how hard it is to catch a child up after an authorised or un authorised absence?
How do you mean?
I am a 62 year old graduate with a head for science and maths. Chemistry is my weak point. Why? Because when my class started on the periodic table and use of chemical formulae, I missed 3 weeks of school because of bronchitis. It took me months to catch up.
To me, it's funny you guys came from alaska to live in the U.K as I would love to leave U.K to go live in Alaska. I want to live in the woods and build a wooden cabin.
Alaska is amazing. We wanted our kids to be able to experience different cultures though, and for them to have options on who they wanted to be when they grow up. I'll eventually find my way back "home" to alaska i Hope. -Jordan
You should!
@@haasfamfarm I'm just going to do it secretly in the U.K, form a smallholding. I have no partner or kids so there is no responsibility except to keep myself alive.
What great kids, they will go far, you should be proud, they dont have summer, they delete it...LOL
Thank you ❤️❤️
Your elder daughter is going to be a shoe in for a feminine William Brown ( look him up ,a character by the author Richmal Crompton circa the 1930s)
Just remember, from the perspective of the girls' classmates, the other kids find americans exotic. And a bit of ribbing is normal.
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@@haasfamfarmPeople in the UK tend to take the Mickey out of their friends. Calling them names but without meaning offence.
Go into the pub and you'll hear one friend say to his friend "Hiya, baldy/chubby, get the drinks in...?"
"Sit down, Football Hooligan!" etc etc.
The more abuse or name/calling often means the closer the friends are.
my school dinner's back 50 odd years ago were disgusting, inedible, I never ate them!
Really?? In the UK?
@@haasfamfarm Yes, two dollops of lumpy grey mash potato every day no matter what the meal was, were deposited onto my plate, never ate them once. stews with baked beans in them, disgusting, I didn't know what to do when I first started school so I spat it in a plastic drinking cup. When I moved to South London, it got a bit better because they served chips (fries). Yum.
We used to put it on the floor because they would not let us leave until it was gone.
@@johnclements6614 my school dinners were delicious I'm in my seventies and wish I had them now .
@@paolow1299 I would say that more than half was ok or good but some I just did not like. I remember in the summer we used to get slabs of beetroot, as the main ingredient of a salad. I would eat the lettuce and cucumber but the beetroot went to the floor. We could only leave when we had a clear plate or repeatedly begged.
Went for a job in a school about ten years ago and the food was excellent.
The revolution was not really a big thing for the UK we were fighting a world war at the time. In 1812 when we weren't so busy you lost, but again too much effort for too little gain.
The teachers wouldn't let you die, too much paperwork.
Technically the teaching your daughter got regards American history isn't that far from the truth. If the war had continued, the British would almost certainly have won. However, by 'giving over America' to the 'Americans', it enabled the British to concentrate on the rest of the world and build what became the British Empire.
Ella's shoes look too young for her. She would be best with laceups. The shoes she is wearing look like what primary aged children would wear. As for tights, she might not like them, but in today's world, I think they are better to protect her modesty.