Headteachers say cheaper holidays could lead to fewer children missing school

Have you ever been on holiday during school time?

In the UK, parents and guardians have to get permission from the school to take children on holiday when they should be at school.

This isn't normally allowed and is only granted for very special reasons.

But some teachers and headteachers are concerned that too many pupils are missing school to go on holiday with their families.

A group called the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) want to see the government stopping travel companies increasing their prices for the school holidays, saying this would help keep pupils in school.

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the ASCL, said: “It is very important for children to attend school as much as possible so they don’t miss out on learning.

"However, many families take their children out of school during term time – even though this can result in a fine – as they find it difficult to afford the cost of a break together during the school holidays."

Term time holidays are generally not allowed in the UK, with each nation having slightly different punishments for parents and guardians of the pupil.

Some parents and guardians may be fined for taking their children out of school for a holiday without permission during term time.

A fine is a money payment used as punishment for a person, business or group doing something they shouldn't.

Pepe says that "the rhythms and routines of being in school are really important" for children

What are the rules in each nation?

In Scotland, pupils taking holidays during term time are recorded as unauthorised absences - which means they are not allowed - unless agreed with the school in very specific circumstances.

If pupils in Northern Ireland have lots of unauthorised absences, an application can be made to the courts to fine parents or guardians up to £1000 in the worst case.

In England, the fine for having more than five days off without permission increased to £80 in August.

And in Wales, pupils on low attendance who take term time holidays not agreed with the school could receive a fixed penalty notice, which is a fine of up to £120.

Pepe understands that families are often having to make tough decisions with money, and may weigh these fines up as part of this, but says that "every day at school is really important."

Pepe says that children being off school can have an impact on the class as "teachers have to revisit topics if pupils are away, and it could affect group work".

Pepe from the ASCL says that headteachers understand the benefits that holidays can have on families, but that every day at school is important

The ASCL believe the government should do something to stop travel companies increasing their prices in the school holidays, to make trips more affordable for more families.

But a spokesperson from the association of travel agents and tour operators, ABTA said the reason prices were so high during school holidays is because there's such a big demand from families.

The spokesperson added that “families can usually get a good price for a holiday" if they book far in advance, or if they book very late in order to get "last-minute deals".

Why else might someone miss school?

There are many reasons why pupils may be absent from school.

Pepe says that while the ASCL agrees that unauthorised holidays do affect schools, there are lots of other things that can impact this, including pupils being absent for health reasons.

Data from the Department for Education shows that illness accounted for more than half of school absences in England during the autumn and spring terms of the last year.