Landmark Court Ruling Could See Tightening Of Truancy Laws

Jon Platt had taken his daughter to a vacation holiday in Florida's Disneyland despite lacking approval from her school.

The Isle of Wight concil fined Platt £60 for truancy or unauthorised absenteeism of her daughter. As per UK law, children kept out of school by their parents will have their families receive a fine of £60 per abenteeism.

Platt had refused to pay the fine, which had the council double it to £120 in total. Platt argued that his daughter's overall attendance record was not included in the fine's issue.

According to the Department for Education, the government would look to introduce legislation that would help close any loophole. The DfE was "disappointed" with the High Court's decision to favour 

Platt's argument.

According to an official statement:

“We are confident our policy to reduce school absence is clear and correct. We will examine today’s judgment in detail but are clear that children’s attendance at school is non-negotiable, so we will now look to change the legislation," said a DfE spokesperson.

However, English councils urged the government to allow schools to take a "common sense approach" and "give individual consideration" to parents' requests.

The Local Government Association said: “Children’s education is treated with the upmost seriousness, but it is clear that the current system does not always favour families, especially those that are struggling to meet the demands of modern life or have unconventional work commitments.

“Families where parents work unsocial shift patterns, in the emergency services or whose jobs are tied to calendar commitments, can find that they are unable to take family holidays during school holiday periods.”