A mother who took her autistic son out of school for a holiday in Spain returned home to find a £320 fine. Emily Allman flew to Malaga with her husband Tony, nine-year-old autistic son Miles, daughter Samantha, five, and her in-laws.
Mum says holiday was necessary for son's needs
The 32-year-old thought going away in term time was 'the best idea in the world' as Miles struggles with big crowds and noisy places due to his condition. The mum-of-two said it was cheaper to pay the fine for their £4,000 stay than pay £10,000 for the same holiday during the school summer break.
Emily said she submitted a holiday request to the school a week-and-a-half before travel and assumed it had been approved after not hearing back. When she returned home a week later, she discovered a letter stating the request hadn't been approved and was issued a £320 fine.
Family's first trip abroad
Emily said: 'I knew it was coming. But my point is, he can't travel during school holidays. It's far too overwhelming for him. The school still decided it wasn't a good enough excuse. Goodbye wages.'
A resigned Emily said the family will now have to settle for UK and caravan holidays in future. Emily, from Ashington, Northumberland, said: 'We put in a request to the school. My son, having autism and ADHD, struggles with really popular places.'
Cost comparison
'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. My mother-in-law said if we went two weeks after, it went from £4,000 to £10,000.'
'We knew even if we did get fined it would be cheaper than having to pay that. I sent the form to school and rang the educational welfare office and told them about the situation with my son, they said it was down to the discretion of the head teacher.'
School's response
Louise Hall, Executive Headteacher at WISE Academies, 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. 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.'
Mixed reactions online
Emily posted her story online and had mixed reactions. Some commenters empathised while others said there is no excuse to miss school. One wrote: 'It isn't a good enough excuse though…like no matter your intentions you are still pulling the kid out of school for something that is not necessary.'
A second commented: 'If you can afford the holiday, you can afford the fine.' A third wrote: 'Well let's be honest it's not a good enough excuse.' Another commented: 'Let it go to court, explain it to them.' But one wrote: 'I'm 100% homeschooling, ain't no way I am being told when to go on holiday.'
