A HEAD teacher from Cleobury Mortimer has warned that a court ruling about the entitlement of parents to take children out of school will have major repercussions.

The warning from Darren Reynolds, head teacher at Lacon Childe School, follows a victory in the High Court by dad Jon Platt from the Isle of Wight, who was appealing against a £120 fine after taking his daughter out of school for an unauthorised holiday at Disneyland.

“A victory for parents or a slap in the face for schools trying to educate children, whichever way you look at it, the recent ruling of the High Courts on the side of Mr Platt who took his daughter on a term time holiday to Disney World, will have an impact on schools everywhere,” said Darren Reynolds.

The head teacher also challenges the contention that 90 per cent attendance is good believes that the ruling will have serious implications.

“Ninety per cent attendance is not good attendance,” said Darren Reynolds.

“We have an average school attendance of 96% and would see 90% as persistent absence requiring intervention by our Educational Access Support.

“The guidance on attendance states that regular attendance at school must be adhered to by parents. Regular does not mean 90%, or a half day absence a week, a full day off every fortnight.”

He said that in the world of work this level of absenteeism would not be accepted.

“How many parents would get away with a day a fortnight off work? I think P45’s would follow,” added Darren Reynolds.

“Children are expected to be in school 190 days a year. This leaves 175 days for holidays.”

“Our hard working teachers could also benefit from reduced holiday prices,” added Darren Reynolds.

“Unlike parents who are not teachers, our school staff are tied into taking their children away during the most expensive periods.”