If it was a week or two I would agree as well, Smedley (Shock, horror, gasp!) but, taken from the article linked to -

The court heard her son had an 80% attendance rate at Bideford College between February 9 and June 26 last year.

80% attendance is somewhat more than taking him on holiday for a week or two. Assuming 20 weeks for the period in question it looks like he was missing for 16 of them:-(

Not judging either way but thought I had better put it in context!

Cheers

DeG