Tougher rules on school absences

From September 1 this year, Fixed Penalty Fines (FPFs) will be issued where a pupil has had five or more school days of unauthorised absence within a 10-week period.
The initial fine of £60 payable within 21 days, will rise to £120 if paid seven days later.
The council could then take legal action if FPFs are not paid within that period. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000, costs and a criminal record.
Under current legislation, headteachers are able to grant leave of absence for up to 10 school days a year, which can include holiday.
However, the new Government legislation means that they cannot grant any leave of absence during term times unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Parent Amanda Booker-Wilson, whose daughter attends a West Berkshire school, said the new government measures were unfair on parents.
“I haven’t taken my daughter on holiday during school time, but I do think the government is being very unfair and the possibility of fines that large and even a criminal record is just ridiculous,” she said.
“It is so expensive to go away in the holidays. We went away last summer and it cost an absolute fortune so we will be having our holiday in England.
“My daughter’s school is very good and let her have time off when we had a new baby as her attendance was good and it was a special circumstance.”
Parent Chris Hall, who has one child attending a West Berkshire school and another due to start in September, said: “Taking your child out of school for long periods during term time can disrupt their education.
“As long as these rules are enforced with common sense and sensitive to special circumstances where a family may have little choice but to have a child off school, I have no objection to them.”
For more reaction see this week's Newbury Weekly News.