I'm perplexed that someone who posts (continually) - often in capitals with extra exclamtion marks etc - that parents should take more responsibility for their childrens behaviour now starts another 'crusade' in defence of a parent whose son had only an 80% attendance rate at Bideford College between February 9 and June 26 last year (26 unauthorised absences.) and whose daughter, who was in her final year of compulsory education, only turned out to 83% of lessons during the same period (including 14 days of unauthorised holidays.)

At the risk of being termed a (dreaded) Feminist Fact Finder - again!

What is the actual reality?

The law DOES allow schools to give permission for up to a maximum of ten school days holidays per year (or very exceptionally, even longer).

Even then, schools may still refuse to allow the holiday for other reasons - for example, if the child has a poor attendance record, or if the holiday is at a particularly important time, such as in the run up to exams or at the start of a new school year.

The availability of cheaper holidays in term time with no educational value are not deemed to be good reasons for term time holidays to be allowed.

Parents are notified that if their child goes on holiday in term time without permission from the school -
The absences will be marked in the school register as unauthorized absences and this may result in fixed penalty fines (Education Penalty Notices) of £50 (rising to £100) per parent per child being issued by the Local Authority.
In some cases, parents may also be prosecuted by the offence of failure to ensure regular attendance at school.


"WHY has it now become a sin to take your child away for ONE week?   It's nuts."

It hasn't is the simple answer and, to suggest it has, is either wilful ignorance or just 'nuts'