An English couple who took their kids out of school so that they could all enjoy a family holiday, the first in five years are facing a fine and the prospect of a prison sentence. This morning's Daily Mail has full coverage of the story.
I am afraid they will be made an example. I can relate to their plight, really, and get very angry with the authorities, as I was not allowed to take mine out of school for a few days holiday when the prices are really affordable .
There is more to this than meets the eye. The reason they face prison is because they haven't paid the original fine. Some people are adopting the approach that it is cheaper to pay the fine than book a holiday in term time. There is a school of thought that says this new rule is doomed to failure. Additionally SunnyJim isn't necessarily going on holiday. He is going to get married / visit his future wife - potential mitigating circumstances.
Whilst appreciating the importance of education, I also appreciate family time and circumstances that allow the sharing of it. Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut ain't the done thing........ personally, having had the experience of falling foul with one Headteacher, I still think that the Authorities approach is wrong, and something should be done at official government level to force Travel Organization to stop ripping families off by unfairly inflating prices during school holiday times.
I've just spotted this thread. I'm honoured to be referred to in the title! This is the situation: I'm planning on staying in the Philippines for a year, but maybe longer depending on my finances. So I'm taking the kids out of school altogether. Is there a suggestion that I could be flouting the law somehow by doing this?
I wouldnt have thought so. You would effectively be emigrating. But worth checking with the your LEA - Local Education Authority.
I reckon it is more than a suggestion.................... Unless you make provisions for the children to start school in Pinas.........
I wanna be clear on this. If I emigrate to the Philippines, I will be breaking British law for taking my kids out of school here, unless I send them to a Filipino school?
Jim. Just give your local LEA a call. Just tread carefully. Tell them you are thinking of doing it but seek to be ensuring that you are breaking no laws etc etc. Or you could try and take an anonymous approach if you can. If in doubt, give em a shout!
