Huddersfield schools fine parents over holidays

Jun 11 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Rising numbers of parents are choosing to take their children on holiday during term time because of the increased cost of foreign travel and air fares during traditional school holidays during the summer, Easter and at Christmas.

But ministers are urging headteachers to take a tougher line on so-called “middle-class truancy”.

Since 2004 they have had powers to issue the fixed penalty notices. They can grant up to 10 additional days off a year but are only advised to do so in exceptional circumstances.

Mrs Gill Goodswen, headteacher at Stile Common Junior School, said: “It depends very much on the catchment area of a school. Certainly around here, families cannot afford to book lavish holidays which cost thousands of pounds.

“I find they tend to ask for a few days tagged on to a school holiday and we try to be helpful where we can”.

Another Huddersfield headteacher said: “There can be advantages for some families, who rarely get holidays. But we try to work with the parents and ask them to approach us before they go ahead and book a holiday.”

THE costs of taking holidays in and out of term-time vary enormously.

Our survey costed holidays for a family of four in June (term time) and July (school holidays).

CONTINENTAL PARK HOTEL Alcudia, Majorca, on half-board

June 20 (14 nights): £2,699

July 25 (14 nights): £3,597

(Priced by Thomson)

HOTEL GILDA BAHIDA Tossa del Mar, Spain, on half-board

June 20 (7 nights): £1,964

July 25 (7 nights): £2,456

(Priced by Portland)

HOLIDAY VILLAGE COSTA DE SOL Benalmadena, Spain, all-inclusive

June 20 (14 nights): £3,328

July 25 (14 nights): £5,336

(Priced by First Choice)

ELENI APARTMENTS Sidari, Corfu - self-catering

June 20 (14 nights): £2,027

July 25 (14 nights): £2,115

(Priced by Thomson)