Laura Sharman 22 September 2016

Council amends fines for term time holidays in wake of High Court ruling

Derbyshire County Council has changed its rules around fining parents for taking their children on holiday during term time in the wake of the Isle of Wight High Court ruling.

The council has introduced new interim measures that will mean parents will not be fined for taking their children out of school during term time unless it means the pupil has an overall of attendance of less than 94%.

The arrangements have been made after Jon Platt won a High Court victory after refusing to pay a £60 fine imposed by Isle of Wight council for taking his children out of school for a week's holiday in Florida.

A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: ‘We’ve approved new interim arrangements around unauthorised pupil absences following the Isle of Wight High Court ruling to provide schools with clear guidance to help them make decisions about when penalty notices should be issued.

‘Even a small amount of time out of school can adversely affect pupils’ academic achievement and under the new arrangements penalty notices will continue to be issued where all absence, including illness and unauthorised holiday absence, results in an overall attendance of 94% or below.’

The Isle of Wight is currently challenging the ruling, with full support from the Government.

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