Wish you were here
Scottish Government figures show 641,380 days were lost in primary, secondary and special schools across the country due to unauthorised holiday absence.
And it’s thought the inflated cost of packages during the school holidays is behind the soaring number of parents willing to let kids miss term-time lessons.
The unauthorised holiday absence stats are up 2% on the previous year, when 628,374 days were taken off for term- time family holidays and 55% on a decade ago (414,637).
In the 2014/ 15 year, 434,757 days were missed in primary schools, 202,019 days were taken off in secondaries and 4603 days in schools for children with special needs.
The stats don’t include other reasons for non-attendance, such as sickness or truancy.
A Sunday Post investigation revealed holidays abroad can cost up to 150% more during the official holidays than term time.
For example, we found a seven- night break for two adults and two children to the Algarve in Portugal cost 95% more to go in mid-July than mid-June.
And a week-long family holiday in Mexico, cost £651 per person during term time but £1622 during the summer break – an increase of 149%.
Hiked prices of package breaks abroad, as well as some parents not being able to get leave from work during the school summer, are thought to be behind the increasing willingness to take kids out of class.
Sean Tipton, from ABTA, which represents travel agencies, said: “Nobody can deny holiday prices go up during the school holidays. It’s supply and demand, just the same as other peak times, such as Christmas and Easter.
“More people want to get away, not only from the UK but from many other countries, placing huge demand on airlines and hotels.
“Prices therefore increase and they can be significantly higher than during term time.
“There is a solution, which we’ve been suggesting for nearly 10 years – that schools do the same as the Continent and stagger their holidays by region. That way not everyone is trying to get away on holiday at the same time.”
John Kinnear of the Family Holiday Association, which helps struggling families enjoy breaks at the British seaside, said it’s important families enjoy holidays together, even if that means they have to be arranged during school times.
“Headteachers recognise, in some cases, the benefits to a child of having a break away from home can outweigh the value of a few days away from school,” he said.
“Research shows the breaks have helped improve communication within the family and have given families a chance to experience new things together.
“They help families cope better once they return home and, of course, create memories that will last a lifetime.
“We also hear that children are able to focus better in class and even have improved attendance once they return.” However, the EIS teaching union says large amounts of unauthorised absence can have a damaging effect.
“Often, pupils will have significant difficulty in catching up after a period of absence.
“This creates difficulties for teachers, who cannot hold back the entire class to allow an individual to catch up,” a spokesman said. “Parents should be mindful of
Sean Tipton the potential impact on their child’s education and consider if the financial savings are worth the potential cost to that.
“However, we recognise the cost of travel during school holidays can be considerably higher than during term time and, in some instances, parents have no option but to take children out of school.”
Jim Thewliss, general secretary for School Leaders Scotland, added: “Pupils are expected to attend school as close to 100% of the time as possible, and they should not miss school to go on holiday.
“Even short periods of absence can have a detrimental impact on learning, hence consistent attendance is absolutely vital.
“We are a nation which values education and learning. Regular attendance at school is part of the shared commitment of teachers and parents to supporting the life chances of young people.
“The majority of parents recognise the importance of high attendance to their children’s success at school.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Although only around 0.5% of days were lost to unauthorised holiday absences in 2014/15, it is important schools and parents do all they can to ensure good attendance to maintain children’s attainment.
“Parents and pupils are encouraged to recognise the value of learning and the pitfalls of disrupting learning for the pupil, the rest of the class and the teacher.
“It is up to education authorities to decide what sanctions they use if there is an unauthorised absence.
“The Government has no plans to amend legislation in relation to school attendance.
“However, we will continue to support local authorities, schools and parents do all they can to ensure good attendance.”