| SPOTLIGHT |
The Local Government Association is calling for an end to the ban on term-time holidays imposed on school pupils by former Education Secretary Michael Gove.
It said head teachers should be allowed discretion in permitting parents to take children out of school during term-time without facing an automatic fine.
The LGA said parents taking children abroad in school holidays faced fare costs up to double those of term time, running into hundreds of pounds for a family.
Costs for a family of four in Cyprus could, for example, be £1,564 higher during the half term holiday period than outside it.
Under the rules imposed by Mr Gove councils must fine parents on behalf of schools in cases of unauthorised absence on holidays, involving a penalty notice of £60 per child per parent, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.
Those who fail to pay could face prosecution and a maximum fine of £2,500 or a jail sentence of up to three months.
David Simmonds, chair of the LGA's children and young people board, said: “Commonsense must prevail in cases when mums and dads ask to take their child out of school during term-time if there is a legitimate reason.
“An outright ban is too simplistic, and doesn't recognise that family life and circumstances aren't always so black and white. We shouldn't have a system where family holidays are just for the rich or indeed children aren't able to take time off in light of family bereavement. There needs to be flexibility within the system.”
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has issued fresh guidance to members after 90% said the previous set was insufficient.
This states that heads should consider granting term time leave for reason that “are rare, significant, unavoidable and short”, with 'unavoidable' defined as “an event that could not reasonably be scheduled at another time”.
Examples could include funerals of close family members, one-off religious observances and families where members of the armed forces have returned from lengthy tours of duty.
Mr Hobby said: “We thoroughly understand the concerns expressed by the Local Government Association but head teachers already have discretion over the granting of absence during term time. They rightly prioritise learning over holidays. They are able to - and do - authorise absence in exceptional circumstances.”
Mark Smulian
