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.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Business Services Senior Co-ordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £31,015 - £34,811
Are you an experienced administrator who enjoys supporting people, leading a team and making sure services run smoothly? A fantastic opportunity has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Secretary

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598 pro rata (pay award pending)
Required from 1st November 2026   Kirk Merrington Primary School are looking to appoint a full-time school secretary due to the retirement of the curr Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Fleet Hire Desk Assistant

Durham County Council
£27,274 - £29,542
The Fleet Operations Team in Fleet and Depot Management are looking for a Fleet Hire Desk Assistant to join their team.   To assist the Fleet Services Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,185 - £25,989 pro rata (pay award pending)
This role is permanent, term time only plus 2 weeks, 37 hours per week. We are looking for an experienced and qualified Teaching Assistant, who is hi Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Classroom Teacher

Durham County Council
£32,916 - £45,352 pro rata (pay award pending)
Required
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner