Term-time holidays: Number of pupils taking unauthorised time off school soars

Figures released by the Government suggest an the number of parents are taking children on term-time holidays has risen by more than half since 2011

The Minister for Schools spoke in the Houses of Commons on Thursday regarding term-time holidays (PA)

The number of children being taken out of school on unauthorised holidays has risen by more than half, Government data has revealed, furthering concerns over a change in attitude towards term-term holidays for school pupils.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Schools Minister Nick Gibb said he would take “whatever measures necessary” to overturn a landmark High Court ruling and strengthen rules against term-term holidays.

Mr Gibb said he wants to give schools and councils in England “the power and clarity to ensure children attend school when they should”.

Despite the minister citing Government figures that pupil absences in England have declined overall, analysis of the same report shows the number of children off school for unauthorised holidays has in fact risen.

A Government policy introduced in 2011 allows for holidays to be granted during term time provided the parent has permission from their child’s headteacher.

While the proportion of authorised family holidays has decreased since then, accounting for just 1.1 per cent of pupil absences in autumn 2015, those being taken out of school for unauthorised holidays by their familes has risen year-on-year to account for more than 270,000 absences - more than 50 per cent.

In the year the policy came in, unauthorised family holidays accounted for 2.9 per cent of school absences overall, but by autumn 2015, this figure had increased to 4.2 per cent.

Despite roughly a quarter of holiday requests having been authorised by schools in the autumn term last year, the figures suggest that many parents who are not able to get their child’s school’s permission are likely to take pupils out on term-time holidays regardless of whether or not it is permitted.

In parliament on Thursday, Mr Gibb addressed the landmark High Court ruling last week which asserted that Jon Platt, a father from the Isle of Wight, was entitled to take his daughter out of school on holiday on account of her high attendance record.

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay argued that family holidays “are good for children, they widen their experiences, and the children of families who take them on holiday often perform better as a result”.

Mr Gibb responded that he was awaiting the written judgement from the high court and would set out the government's next steps in due course.

He said: “The ruling represents a significant threat to one of the Government's most important achievements over the last six years - improving school attendance.

“For this reason the Government will do everything in its power to ensure headteachers are able to keep children in school.

The schools minister said there was “abundant academic evidence” to show a correlation between time spent in school and academic success.

Referring to Mr Platt’s case, he added: “The need to take time off school in exceptional circumstances is important, but there are no special circumstances where a 10-day family holiday to Disney World should be allowed to trump attendance at school.”