Mum issued fine for taking autistic son on holiday in school term
A mum was ordered to pay a £320 after going on holiday with her son during term time.
Emily Allman, 35, had taken her nine-year-old son Miles to Malaga in Spain during term time, along with her husband Tony, 35, and as well as Samantha, five, and her in-laws.
Emily from Northumberland in the UK had said that she decided to make the trip during term time as Miles has autism and can sometimes struggle with the noise and crowds of 'popular' tourist destinations.
"We put in a request to the school," she said. "My son, having autism and ADHD, struggles with really popular places.
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"Even around our home town he struggles with big crowds if it's too loud or if it gets too hot.
"We thought going in the term-time would be the best idea in the world."
The May 7 trip to Spain also ended up being significantly cheaper than it would have been had they gone during term time, when the price would have jumped from £4,000 up to £10,000 for the same holiday.
"We knew even if we did get fined it would be cheaper than having to pay that," said Emily.
Explaining her reasoning, Emily said: "The circumstances are different for each child. The money was a pain in the a** but when it comes to his needs, I'm not going to push him to go to a place where he is not going to enjoy it."
Emily said that she had not heard back before they went on holiday, so assumed that it had been approved, and this would need approval from the headteacher.
"They have worked with my son since reception and know how he is and what he struggles with," she said, adding: "We had the most incredible holiday."
But when the family arrived home she found letters from the school saying that the request had been denied.
"I knew the fines were coming two weeks later," she said. "It was £80 per person, per child, so it was £160 each for me and my husband."
While the family enjoyed the trip, Emily explained that the fines increase if parents do it again within three years, so they will not be doing it again.
"This is the first time we've ever done it," she said. "I think the fine goes up if you do it again within three years, we won't be able to do it again for a while."
Instead, Emily said that they will travel to caravan parks in the UK for their holidays.
Louise Hall is the Executive Headteacher at WISE Academies, and said: "We understand that this is a difficult situation for the family, and we do not take the decision lightly to refer cases to the local authority to issue a penalty notice.
"WISE Academies is committed to supporting all students with special educational needs and disabilities and we work closely with families to create tailored support plans.
"However, consistent school attendance is a legal requirement and remains vital for every child's social, emotional and academic progress."
She added: "Department for Education guidelines make it clear that the DfE 'does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of recreation to be an exceptional circumstance' enabling authorisation of absence.
"While we recognise the unique challenges faced by some parents, a family holiday during term time does not meet the threshold for an exceptional circumstance so cannot be authorised."
Kit Roberts