Fair enough imo, what’s a kid going to remember, 10 days of school where they spent most their time pissing about, or a family holiday.
I don’t know the ins and outs, but I think there should be a threshold of like 10 days a year where it’s okay, as long as the kid has good attendance besides that and it’s not around exam time.
It’s punching down from the government as it’s a working class issue. Middle class can afford the peak holiday rates, poorer families can’t.
Having a holiday threshold sounds like a good idea. Allow a set amount of days and fine beyond that to discourage excessive absence.
So long as it’s not during exams or something I can’t see the harm in allowing a 1-2 week holiday a year. It would be much fairer and more flexible for families, and less complicated than things like different areas having staggered term dates
FInancially it’s a complete no brainer:
Fines issued to each parent have gone up from £60 to £80 per child which will be doubled if it happens again within three years. Those with a third fine in a three-year period now face prosecution.
So every second year spend £160 per child you’ve got but save potentially thousands of pounds on out-of-season holidays.
Private schools finish for summer earlier too, so those with enough money to send their kids private, also benefit from cheaper holidays.
High attendance is important… 100% attendance is not.
At least don’t impose the fines for the week or two before the summer holidays. Nothing educational happens then anyway.
I don’t have kids but I’ve seen the prices, you can’t punish people both ways, Places like centre parcs need to have a ban on price hikes during off-term periods.
