Council warning over term-time holidays for pupils
10 January, 2008
New government statistics reveal that 17 lost school days in a year is likely to lead to a drop in exam grades, and with almost 146,000 term days in Nottinghamshire schools lost during the 2006/07 year, a lot of young people may be under-achieving due to too much time out of school.
Refuse Permission
The council says that while time off for sickness may be unavoidable, taking young people out of school for a holiday isn't and is advising that parents consider carefully before booking holidays in term time, but even if they still decide to go ahead with a holiday, the school can refuse permission to grant leave. In this case taking a child from school will be seen as an unauthorised absence and could be followed by legal action.
A new campaign by the Council's Welfare Service will attempt to make parents aware of the damage that holidays in term time can do.
”unaware they do not have the right”
It says many parents are unaware that they do not have the right to take their children out of school without getting permission first.
Coun Joyce Bosnjak, Nottinghamshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Parents need to be aware that their children's education could be disrupted by taking family holidays at inappropriate times.
“It is important that parents look at the factors involved, because in the worst case scenario, they could face legal action. Clearly this is a situation we all want to avoid."
By Education Correspondent.
