Term-time holidays

Over 5000 of you got in touch to have your say about term-time holidays this morning - let us know your thoughts

There was an overwhelming response to our item on taking children out of school during term-time.  More than 5000 of you got in touch to say that parents should be allowed to remove their children for a few weeks to go on holiday.

Three out of four parents would be prepared to take their children out of school during term-time to avoid extortionate holiday mark ups according to a GM.TV poll.

Increasing numbers of families are believed to be delaying summer holidays until September or October to save money.

According to official figures, term-time breaks accounted for the biggest number of absences after illness.

In all, 397,851 pupils were absent with or without schools' permission every day between September and December 2008 - an increase of more than 20,500 compared to two years earlier.

A DCSF spokesperson said:

"The Government makes no apology about expecting parents to fulfil their basic responsibility to send their child to school, unless they are providing a home education, or have received authorisation for absence. Many parents, especially if their child is at the top of their class, don't realise the impact a term-time holiday can have on their child – missing school can leave children struggling to catch up with their work.

"A term-time holiday is all too often seen as the rule when it should be the exception - we know that 50 per cent of unauthorised absence is with the knowledge of parents.

"Under Education Regulations 2006 head teachers may grant leave of absence for the purpose of family holidays when parents request permission in advance and there are special circumstances which warrant the leave. Where leave of absence is granted for a term-time holiday, it is granted entirely at the Head's discretion, and is not a right.

"Each request can only be judged on a case by case basis, taking into account individual circumstances such as a child's attainment, attendance and ability to catch up. Fines (fixed penalty notices ranging £50 to £100) can be used as an alternative to prosecuting parents for their children's unauthorised absence, and can apply in cases where parents have not received approval from their child's school for a term-time holiday."

We'd love to know your thoughts on this. Would you let your children skip school to bag a holiday bargain? Do you feel like you're damaging your children's education if you take them out of school to go on holiday?

Email us your thoughts using the form below.