Government Making Parents Pay More for Family Holidays

I would like to make parents/ guardians and grandparents aware of the Governments new policy enforced in September 2013 regarding “non-authorised school leave during term time,” whereas previously Head Teachers were able to grant up to 10
days leave per year depending on each child’s circumstances.

The Government indicates they have the pupil's best interest at heart and aim to increase their learning but at the same time parents are going to be penalised financially:

a) either by taking their children on holiday out of school term and be hit by the highly inflated travel agencies costs, or

b) taking children on holiday during school term time, each child will be fined per day and the monies will go to local government, another revenue for the Councils;

Colleagues from within local schools are unable to confirm the costs but rumours indicate this could be in the region of £60 per day.

Most parents are responsible and wish the very best for their children, but it would seem the small minority have generated this decision and the leading party is striving to achieve the highest educational statistic levels possible.

Our local Labour MP for Durham has been contacted and given our expression of concerns and suggested alternatives and proposals, for example shortening the six weeks summer holidays by two weeks which is a long time for parents to co-ordinate childcare and give those two weeks to parents in order to take their children on holiday when they would like to go or regulating ABTA and enforcing a consistent pricing and not taking advantage of the ‘high demand’ of holidays during peak times.  It could potentially be put forward as the parents' “Human Rights.”  Some parents are having a difficult time during the current economic climate and do need family time, these proposals are just adding more unnecessary stress!

If you feel as strongly as the majority of parents about being dictated to and being penalised either if you are with the Government or against them, financially we will be paying more for our holidays, please be a voice and sign up to this petition and share with family and friends.    Thank you