Responsible parents can be trusted

SOME time ago we were in Florida and picked up an English newspaper. One of the stories was about those interminable school/parent squabbles over taking children on holiday in term time.

An American acquaintance asked with incredulity if it was true that parents in the UK could be penalised if they took their own child out of school, even if their reasons were not as frivolous as a holiday (and it certainly doesn’t feel frivolous if you cannot afford a family break in the school holidays because of the massive hike in prices).

We confirmed it was true. Our US friend said no American parent would stand for that for a minute.

Over here, we still argue about it. Jon Platt, a father who took his daughter to Disney World for a week in term-time in 2015, initially won his case when the High Court ruled that it is not illegal to remove a child from school so long as he/ she has a good attendance record.

Now the county council, backed by the Government, has asked the Supreme Court to reject that previous verdict. If it does so, says Mr Platt, it means vast numbers of parents could be criminalised as there were 12.8 million unauthorised school absences last year alone.

It’s not always about holidays. Mr Platt believes that even taking your child out occasionally for a sports tournament or prize-giving will become an offence. I vividly remember one of the worst rows we ever had with our son’s school when he was asked to interview a Hollywood action star, meaning he had to take an afternoon off school (Jack wanted to become a film director at the time).

His teacher refused on what, trust me, was little more than a technicality. In the end, the head intervened and common sense prevailed. But it was a ridiculously draining experience and all because of two hours off school doing something exciting, interesting and useful.

Justine Greening, the Education Secretary, says evidence shows that every day of school missed can affect a pupil’s chances of achieving good GCSEs which have a lasting effect on their life chances. I simply don’t believe that.

If a respectable parent such as Jon Platt, who ensures his child has an excellent school attendance record, wants to take his daughter on holiday in term time for a good reason, his wishes should be respected. Many children have parents who couldn’t care less if their kid goes to school every day.

Mr Platt is one of the good ones. It’s absurd to demonise every parent trying to do their balanced best for their family.