Term-time holidays: Isle of Wight Council appeals after case rejected

Jon Platt insisted his six-year-old daughter's education did not suffer from the week-long family holiday in Florida

Isle of Wight Council begins a High Court appeal after the case against a father who took his child on holiday during term-time was thrown out by magistrates.

Jon Platt was taken to court after refusing to pay a £120 fine for taking his daughter, aged six, to Florida.

He had argued the law only required children to attend school regularly.

The council said it wanted to know why the court decided there was no case to answer.

Mr Platt took his daughter on holiday with the extended family, despite an absence request being rejected by the school.

At a magistrates' court earlier this month he successfully argued Section 444 of the Education Act required parents ensured their children attended school "regularly", and did not put restrictions on taking them on holidays in term time.

Matter of law

His daughter had a 93.8% attendance rate the previous academic year.

Isle of Wight Council said it has started the formal process of appeal to the High Court for clarification on a matter of law.

Council leader Jonathan Bacon said: "The recent media attention given to this case shows that there is interest, concern and, above all, uncertainty as to what constitutes 'regular attendance' for the purposes of the legislation in question.

"The Isle of Wight Council has received clear advice that the magistrates may have failed to interpret and apply the law correctly in making their decision.

"Where the law created by Parliament is uncertain, the appeal courts have the ability to lay down a binding ruling as to the correct interpretation of the law."