Want to take the kids on a term-time break? Move to Torbay
PARENTS living in some parts of the country are 50 times more likely to have their term-time holidays approved than those in others, statistics show.
Government figures reveal a postcode lottery in terms of a family’s chances of taking their child out of classes without being fined.
Torbay in Devon is the best place to live if you want to take secondary school children away during the term, with 51 per cent of all term-time holidays officially approved.
For primary age children, North Yorkshire gets the best deal – with 51 per cent of holidays given the green light there.
The worst place for secondary children is Redbridge in London, where less than 1 per cent are granted; for primary the worst is Southampton, with 3 per cent.
The data suggests a wide disparity in how schools and councils have been interpreting government rules banning children being taken out of school for holidays.
A separate investigation for the BBC yesterday showed that 35 councils have changed their stance on term-time fines since Isle of Wight father Jon Platt overturned his fine in the High Court after arguing that his children had an otherwise
‘It is not fair to impose strict rules’
excellent attendance record. Of 108 councils where data was available, 35 have altered their stance on the fines – with 28 no longer issuing them. A further five councils are reviewing the policy.
Councils and head teachers are now reluctant to enforce the ban because they know magistrates’ courts will be unable to uphold the fines following the ruling.
Term-time holiday campaigner David Hedley said: ‘It’s not fair to continue to impose these very strict rules. The circumstances of the family should be taken into account. Families across the country are being penalised and it is ridiculous.’
The 2014-15 statistics from school registers also showed a record number of parents taking their children out of classes without approval.
A total of 3.2million school days were lost – compared with just 2.6million two years previously. Over the same period the number of days of authorised holiday fell from 4.1million to just under 900,000. A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘Children should not be taken out of school without good reason.
‘The evidence shows every extra day of school missed can affect a pupil’s chances of achieving good GCSEs, which has a lasting effect on their future, vindicating our strong stance on attendance.’