The Isle of Wight Council is to challenge the High Court ruling in relation to unauthorised school absence, after the Government promised to fully fund its appeal.
Schools minister, Nick Gibb, urged the council to appeal the decision with a commitment the Department for Education would cover all the costs of any action.
Council leader, cllr Jonathan Bacon, said: ‘Our initial response was not to expend further Isle of Wight Council money on pursuing an appeal. However, as a result of the formal request from the minister, the local and national importance of this issue and the DfE’s commitment to cover all the costs of the appeal and contribute to the council’s previous costs, we have decided to lodge an appeal in order to resolve the issue for all.’
The DfE also said it would join the proceedings if an appeal is granted by the High Court.
Parent Jon Platt won a High Court victory after refusing to pay a £60 fine imposed by the council for taking his children out of school for a week's holiday in Florida.
Judges dismissed the council's challenge to a ruling in favour of Mr Platt by local magistrates and said they were right to take the 'wider picture' into account.
