Following Supreme Court’s ruling against Jon Platt earlier this year, new research by Kiwi.com shows 65% of parents disagree with penalties for term-time holidays.
There were nearly 20,000 people prosecuted for pupil absences in 2015 alone – with that figure dramatically increasing since September.
Online flight booker, Kiwi.com, has today revealed the frustrations of parents being penalised for taking their children away on holiday during school term time.
Standout findings from the survey of parents;
- Parents say they save on average £686 booking holidays during term time
- Parents say it’s not just the cost of trips in the school holidays, but also their own ability to take time off work
- Over half of parents have taken their child out of school at least once during term time, and half of those who were fined would risk it again
Research conducted by the brand reveals that almost three-quarters (73%) of British parents sided with Jon Platt, who earlier this year lost his High Court battle for the right to take his children out of school during term time.
When asked whether it is wrong to fine parents who take children on holiday during term time, two-thirds (66%) agreed.
The data also reveals that 8 in 10 (81%) parents think holiday costs are too high during July and August, and is the main reason they take their children out of school during term-time.
Visiting family and relatives abroad is also a contributing factor to term-time absences as it seems getting everyone together can only ever be done around universal and expensive holiday periods such as Christmas and the Summer holidays.
Over two-fifths (44%) of parents have taken their children out of school for family/relative related reasons.
Almost half (49%) of British families have taken their children out of school in term-time and estimate they save £686 on average from taking non term-time holidays.
As a result, one in two parents (58%) would take their children on holiday during term-time. Despite seven in 10 parents (70%) being fined by their local council, half of those would do it again.
Stephen Davis at Kiwi.com said: “Each year the school holiday period heavily impacts the cost of flights abroad, meaning families have to pay unnecessary premiums for their annual trip abroad, or battle with colleagues to bag the holiday time from work first to avoid missing out.”
It is not just flight costs that drive families to book their breaks outside of the designated holiday months.
Just under half of parents (48%) reveal they find it hard to get the time off work during the holidays as they are competing with so many other parent colleagues who want the time off.
This has resulted in arguments with management and colleagues, being bullied into taking time off, and even feeling so pressured that they have considered leaving their jobs.
Have you had problems with booking time off in half term to take your children on holiday? Comment on our post to let us know your thoughts.
