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I'll keep this as brief as I can. My wife and I are childless qualified teachers. We both pay taxes to help fund state education, and this thwat takes his kid out for a holiday during term time.

Then the stoopid idiot tries to fight his case in court.
One can only assume the father and his legal advisors missed significant periods of their 'education'.

Parents (not schools) have the biggest influence 's on their child's education.
In my final year of practice, we had parents with court injunctions against them, preventing them coming onto school property. (what chance did their kids have ?)
Conversely, a child who couldn't attend school as he had a broken arm (H&S, insurance etc), his mother brought him into school to change library books every other day. And the kid did exceptionally well.

In this court case the dad may be doing financially well, but in the bigger picture of life, his kid is going to FAIL.

the court made the right decision. Thankfully

Edited by Forest Hillbilly (06 Apr 2017 2.50pm)

I disengage, I turn the page.

Then I want a tax refund for all the term-time holidays taken from my taxation

I disengage, I turn the page.

I think while the huge disparity between term time and non-term time holidays exists then there will always be a debate.

Yes the evidence seems to suggest that there can be an impact on long term performance. But as you acknowledge parents can be the biggest influence on the education of a child. Quality time together as a family can be a major positive in development - and if costs are prohibitive then this can be curtailed.

It also assumes that the state and not the parent is the ultimate arbitrator for what is good for your child. And I'm not sure that I am entirely comfortable with that.

I'll continue to take my children on holiday only outside of term time but I can fully understand why some wouldn't.

"It's almost like a moral decision. Except not really cos noone is going to find out," Jez, Peep Show

Mmmm....That's why I'm talking compromise.

I just don't think the current system works very well or is very fair.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I have children and I completely agree with you. We wouldn't even consider taking our children out of school for a holiday, and we laugh at idiot parents of this person's ilk who somehow equate 2 weeks in Disney World to an essential educational experience. If a holiday out of term time is too expensive then go on a cheaper one. Surprisingly there is no basic human right to go on holiday, in any case.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

Very funny. But I think you are misunderstanding criminal law. No-one has ever been arrested for taking their daughter to Disneyland in term time, but they may well have faced a fixed penalty charge.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)