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.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Cumberland Council
£188,227
Cumberland is a special place Cumbria
Recuriter: Cumberland Council

Head of Operational Services

South Derbyshire District Council
Head of Operational Services
South Derbyshire District Council is seeking an ambitious and commercially minded Head of Operational Services Derbyshire
Recuriter: South Derbyshire District Council

Service Director – Property and Business Support Services

South Gloucestershire Council
£86,955 – £94,552 per annum
You’ll have a rare opportunity to influence how an entire council uses its assets Gloucestershire
Recuriter: South Gloucestershire Council

Assistant Director – Transformation & Commissioning

North Somerset Council
£90,249 – £107,028
North Somerset is ambitious, forward-thinking and committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable services for its communities. Somerset
Recuriter: North Somerset Council

Executive Director Housing and Communities

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£178,000
At Kensington & Chelsea, we are transforming services Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner