Parents to be Fined for School Term Time Breaks
Education Secretary Michal Gove is planning to fine parents who take their children out of school to go on holiday under new proposals from the Department of Education.
After a review of school discipline and attendance rates by Charlie Taylor (a teacher and behaviour expert) it was estimated that in total, 4.5 million days of schooling are lost through pupils going on family holidays.
Currently head teachers can sanction up to two weeks a year of authorised absence during term time with this initially provided for illness, bad weather and bereavements but heads come under pressure to allow children to taken out of school to travel.
It is certainly understandable that parents want to take their children out of school during term time as holiday fees increasing during the popular school holiday periods.
General secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders representing secondary school heads: Brian Lightman commented: "The discretionary 10 days has become a bit of a cultural expectation with parents viewing it as a right in some cases. It is not. "Children only have one chance to get their education right and for schools to do their best for pupils, it is essential that children have good attendance.
"Parents taking children out to go on holiday just to get a good deal is disruptive and makes life very difficult for teachers."