Fines for term-time holidays almost double in a year - MSE News

Former_MSE_Callum · 21 March 2019 at 6:33PM

The number of fines issued to parents of schoolchildren in England for unauthorised family holiday absences shot up last year by 93%, new figures reveal...

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'Fines for term-time holidays almost double in a year'

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jimbo6977 · 23 March 2019 at 10:46PM

Greetings fron Adlington, Lancashire, a village lucky enough to have 2 village halls, a library, a massively underused childrens centre, an anglican church and hall, a roman catholic church and hall, and a methodist church. yet the local authority sees fit to close one of the primary schools every polling day.

Every day matters right?

tgroom57 · 24 March 2019 at 11:51PM

And inset days.

I think it is a hangover from the days of Labour government and their idea that all must have prizes. School trips are fine because the whole class go. But your child can't be seen to have something more than the others, like a holiday away from home.

maman · 25 March 2019 at 12:18AM

tgroom57 wrote: »

And inset days.

I think it is a hangover from the days of Labour government and their idea that all must have prizes. School trips are fine because the whole class go. But your child can't be seen to have something more than the others, like a holiday away from home.

Shorthand for Inset Days was Baker Days. They were named after Kenneth Baker the Secretary of State for Education in Thatcher's government 30 years ago.

Baker took 5 days a year off teachers' holidays to be used for training. Children's holidays remained the same.

With trips, schools can ask for contributions to pay for the travel and entrance fees etc but these are voluntary. Unfortunately if parents didn't 'volunteer' to pay, the trips wouldn't happen as they don't have the funds to pay for everyone.

zagubov · 25 March 2019 at 12:29AM

jimbo6977 wrote: »

Greetings fron Adlington, Lancashire, a village lucky enough to have 2 village halls, a library, a massively underused childrens centre, an anglican church and hall, a roman catholic church and hall, and a methodist church. yet the local authority sees fit to close one of the primary schools every polling day.

Every day matters right?

That seems ridiculous. I can maybe understand not using a religiously-dedicated building in case someone's beliefs forbid you entering such a venue, but not using a village hall while closing an important service like a school doesn't make sense.

Are the decisions about venues taken at too high a level (e.g. county council level)?

maman · 25 March 2019 at 12:55AM

zagubov wrote: »

That seems ridiculous. I can maybe understand not using a religiously-dedicated building in case someone's beliefs forbid you entering such a venue, but not using a village hall while closing an important service like a school doesn't make sense.

Are the decisions about venues taken at too high a level (e.g. county council level)?

I suspect it's about money and who owns the various properties. If the council only owns the school then it's effectively 'free' for them to use that.

Begsey · 3 April 2019 at 7:22PM

Took the kids out for a week in February.
Primary school found out a couple of days before we went, and provided homework. Secondary school were called on the Monday to inform them of the absence. The lady on the other side of the phone said she wished she was with us, and hoped we had a nice time.
We went for 10 days, 5 days off school, then the February break.
Last year we'll do it though, secondary school son has exams from next year (3rd year, we're in Scotland) but it was all handled sensibly.

sheramber · 4 April 2019 at 2:44PM

There are no £60 fines on Scotland.

It is up to the local authority to determine any sanctions for persistent truancy.

Fines for term-time holidays almost double in a year - MSE News

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