As a mother of two school-aged children, I, like many others, face a dilemma. Should I take my children out of school for an affordable family holiday, risking financial penalties and potential legal consequences?

Children are only young once and I believe it’s unfair for families like mine to miss out on creating cherished memories.

This burden falls particularly hard on low-income families and also parents and children with special needs that may need to go away at less busier times.

Furthermore, this law only applies to state schools, leaving private schools exempt from the same regulations. Parents in private schools are not subject to fines or court proceedings.

Current policies inadvertently discriminate against state system families, tying them to school-term calendars that may not consider their individual requirements.

According to a survey by Nationwide Building Society, one in five parents in the UK risk fines by taking their children on holiday during term time to save money or avoid busy travel periods. 

Every child deserves quality family time and not to mention the enriching experiences and learning travel can offer. By allowing two weeks of penalty-free leave during the school year, we can make this achievable for ALL families. 

Sign this petition to advocate for more flexible, inclusive school attendance policies.