Term time holiday victory for dad who took daughter to Disney World
A father who took his daughter to Disney World in term time has overturned a court fine imposed on him in a victory that could be a win for all parents.
Jon Platt, 44, took his seven-year-old daughter out of school for six days for a large family holiday in April.
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He had requested the time off from her school, but they did not authorise it.
He said the dates were the only time the whole family of 17 could attend the holiday together.
Platt paid £1000 in solicitors' fees to have the £120 fine overturned.
According to the Guardian, he said it was a matter of arguing his case against section 444 of the Education Act that says parents must ensure their children attend school regularly.
He said: "I'm not a qualified lawyer but my understanding of this law is it's very simple. My child needs to attend school regularly.
"Her attendance for the whole of the last school year was nearly 94%. I don't know where the threshold is but, frankly, parents need to decide for themselves. When I made the application through the school to get her time off, it was refused, even though her attendance at the time was 100%.
"I've had lots of messages from people, asking, 'What is the loophole here?' But there is no loophole, the law just says your children must attend regularly."
Chairman of campaign group Parents Want a Say, Craig Langman, said the win could see more parents challenging holiday fines.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he said: "It is definitely a move in the right direction.
"We will be investigating this case and hopefully be using it to help other parents fight these fines.
"Ultimately we want to see the rules reverted back so headteachers have the discretion to allow parents to take their children out of school for up to 10 days."
The Mirror reports that holiday prices can be more than double for trips in half terms, and many families cannot now afford an annual holiday.
It adds that campaigners are calling for the Government to reverse the half term holiday rules brought in last September.
Government is set to hold a Parliamentary debate on a petition to allow children up to two weeks holiday leave from school a year on 26 October.
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