Catherine Scott: A lesson in the economics of family holidays

It gave us all a fabulous break and my husband and I, who are both working parents, much-needed time with our children

Because we went during half term, the flights were exactly double what they would be otherwise.

It is no wonder that parents opt to take their children out of school to go on family holidays.

I have to admit that we took our primary school age children out with permission from the headteacher. We wrote explaining the importance of the trip and how it would enhance our children’s social skills and wider education of the world.

The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 currently allow headteachers to grant leave of absence for the purpose of a family holiday during term time in “special circumstances” of up to ten school days leave per year.

Headteachers can also grant extended leave for more than ten school 
days in exceptional circumstances.

However, Education Secretary Michael Gove –who I am sure has no problem affording the exorbitant price hikes by the travel firms during school holidays – has decided to amend the law.

As from September references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days have been removed. The amendments make clear that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Parents who take their children out without permission will be fined.

It seems strange that a Government so keen on decentralisation is removing headteachers’ ability to make such decisions for themselves.

Unsurprisingly parents are angry. An online petition calling on the Government to reverse the changes has already gained more than 6,000 signatures.

“These changes will adversely affect many families who cannot afford the cost of a holiday in school holidays,” says the petition.

“All children who have a good attendance record should be allowed the opportunity to enjoy quality time with their parents on an annual holiday of up to 10 days once per year.

“Good parents should not be criminalised for wanting to enjoy an affordable annual family holiday.”

I have some sympathy with this view. While I understand the importance of children’s education, while at primary school I cannot see the harm in allowing a few days off for a family holiday. If these changes are to go ahead then the Government needs to do something about the holiday companies taking advantage of the situation.