A BARROW headteacher and Cumbria education boss say a 'pragmatic' approach is needed around families taking term-time breaks and it is time for action against holiday companies hiking up prices.

The calls follow the debate hitting the headlines again when a dad, who refused to pay a fine for taking his daughter on a family holiday to Florida without a school's permission,  won a ruling in his favour at the High Court.

The case came as a survey revealed that families face paying more than double the price for a package holiday as soon as school holidays begin.

Should parent be fined for taking their children out of school in term time
Yes
No

Caroline Long-Hoggarth, the headteacher of Barrow's Parkside GGI Academy, said:"It's about time the government stood up to these holiday companies. They shouldn't be taking this up with parents and schools, they should be taking this up with the holiday companies, some who are increasing their prices by up to 115 per cent."

Mrs Long-Hoggarth said requests for family holidays in term-time have increased. She said her school promotes good attendance, but it does not fine parents for unauthorised absence for holidays.

The head said holidays can give children different experiences which can be beneficial to them. 

Clare Feeney-Johnson, cabinet member for schools and learning at Cumbria County Council said: "The most important point is children having good attendance at school.

"Sometimes time off school can be educational and a way of experiencing a different culture and having quality family time.

"There has to be a pragmatic approach to this with schools and parents, looking at the overall attendance, what work would be missed and how could the child catch up, and how would the child and family benefit from that holiday. Every single case is very different.

"There should be encouragement from Government for a pragmatic approach."

Cllr Feeney-Johnson, a parent of two secondary age children and a school governor, said holiday companies need lobbying over the way prices rocket in the school holidays. She said: "It's ridiculous how flights and holiday prices go up in the school holidays.

"You can understand and appreciate for some families it (the saving to be made) is the difference between having a holiday and not having a holiday."  

The local education authority, Cumbria County Council said it has fined parents for unauthorised absence of pupils.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council, said: “Children who regularly attend school are more likely to keep up with school work, gain better qualifications and develop important life skills. Parents can request to take their children out of school during term time only in special or exceptional circumstances. 

“Requests must be made to the headteacher who has the discretion to decide if the reason given for an absence is acceptable. If a reason is deemed to be unacceptable, the absence will be unauthorised. Parents can face legal and financial sanctions if their child fails to attend school.”