Term-time holidays - where does this stand now?

[Cora]

A web search suggests things may have relaxed re the draconian measures brought in by the govt taking away a headteachers discretion to authorise term-time absence. Anyone had any experience recently? And is the fine a one-off ?60 per child or per day?......not that I'm planning anything!

[curlykaren]

The ?60 is not per day. People seem to get permission for term time leave on a regular basis at my sons school.

[Saffron]

Essentially no change, afaik. The fine is ?60, doubling to ?120 if not paid within 21 days. Anecdotally, I've read this can be applied to both parents, potentially doubling the fees, but I couldn't find confirmation of that.

In theory, following the tightening of guidelines on term time absence a few years ago, head teachers still had the power to make personal judgment calls on what constituted 'exceptional circumstances', in allowing absences. However, in practice it seems most heads were automatically rejecting almost everything but the most serious cases (eg, absence for a death in the immediate family), for fear of falling foul of the guidelines.

Although it has been suggested that the ruling in favour of Jon Platt (Isle of Wight case) would lead to more flexibility in the system, no change to the laws has been made, to the best of my knowledge.

Best practice would be to discuss your situation with the head teacher, and apply for an exemption for exceptional circumstances, if you feel that you qualify. If you're denied and exemption, I think your options are to (a) change your dates to comply, (b) keep your dates and accept the fine, © defend your case to court (i.e., face prosecution).

Stupid crock of horseshit IMHO, unfairly punishing lower income families and families with many overseas relatives, also unfairly diverting authority away from head teachers for fear of being overruled from above. :-/ At least that's my understanding of it. xx

[Saffron]

The James Haymore case was dropped, so we'll never know for sure what chance it would have stood in the courts: https://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/news/press-releases/prosecution-dropped-school-absence-case

Here is info on the more recent Platt case: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-34543101

[Cora]

Thanks Saffron - the last paragraph made me smile :)

[devsdev]

Does this apply to children in school nursery as well? Just about to book holidays during term time!

[Saffron]

From Reception year (5yos) onwards.