ENGLAND’S Chief Inspector of Schools says parents who take their children out of school to save money on a family holiday should face higher fines.
The current fixed penalty of £60 per parent is not high enough and is much less than the sum a family can save by booking an off-peak holiday during the school year, says Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw.
The fine rises to £120 if not paid within 28 days of the notice being issued. If the penalty is still not paid, parents can be prosecuted and face a higher fine.
‘I would like to see the fines raised,’ Sir Michael told The Sunday Times. ‘We have too many parents taking their children out in term time. I think schools should adopt a hard line and not allow the youngsters out. If parents are behaving irresponsibly, then the state is right to say: “This is wrong and you are being a bad parent.” ’
The penalty was raised from £50 to £60 in September 2013 as former education secretary Michael Gove tightened the rules on term-time holidays. The tougher rules have produced a stream of complaints, chiefly from parents’ groups who have launched online petitions against the fines.
The fine rises to £120 if not paid within 28 days of the notice being issued. If the penalty is still not paid, parents can be prosecuted and face a higher fine.
‘I would like to see the fines raised,’ Sir Michael told The Sunday Times. ‘We have too many parents taking their children out in term time. I think schools should adopt a hard line and not allow the youngsters out. If parents are behaving irresponsibly, then the state is right to say: “This is wrong and you are being a bad parent.” ’
The penalty was raised from £50 to £60 in September 2013 as former education secretary Michael Gove tightened the rules on term-time holidays. The tougher rules have produced a stream of complaints, chiefly from parents’ groups who have launched online petitions against the fines.
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