Parents Want a Say call for reversal to term time holiday policy

Fed up parents wanting a reversal to the term time holiday policy, will find like-minded campaigners at ParentsWantASay.co.uk.

The website was set up as part of the Parents Want A Say campaign, which believes the family holiday rules in The Education Regulations 2006, unfairly criminalise families.

It’s not just about taking holiday in term time by choice, campaigners argue, but point out that military families, fire fighters and NHS staff are restricted to when they are allowed to take annual leave.

Many businesses are unable to allow all their employees who are also parents availability to holiday at the same time.

The rules only apply to free schools and state schools, with private school pupils being unaffected.

Until September 01 2014, head teachers were able to allow up to ten days authorised absence from school. But now, they can only grant leave during exceptional circumstances.

Parents taking children out of school without permission, can be fined £60 per child per parent, rising to £120 if not paid within seven days.

If parents do not pay, they can be prosecuted, resulting in a fine of up to £2,500 and jail sentence of up to three months.

For more information, visit: www.parentswantasay.co.uk