Heard it on BeebRadio4 tonight. The govmint and schools reckon taking kids out of school without permission is truancy. Even if it is parent taking them on holiday outside normal holiday periods. It is different if you get permission, but many don't at least in some parts of Essex. Which is why Governor Services had to broach the topic with School Governors. They were encouraged to add attendance issues to GBM agendas, update attendance policies and making certain parents received copies of the policy, etc.

I should think that year round school, with parents being able to opt when they take holidays would be the best solution. That way the airlines and holiday parks haven't any reason or specific season to escalate prices.