Thousands of parents sign petition for kids to be allowed two weeks off school without being fined

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

More than 160,000 parents have signed a petition to be able to take their kids out of school during term time. Amid rocketing prices for holidays abroad, many families believe they should be able to take their children out of class for up to two weeks of the academic year without being penalised.

At the moment parents who do take term time holidays face being fined £60 per child, or £120 if not paid within 21 days. That's soon set to rise to £80 and £160 respectively. Read more: Butlins launches premium lodges at resort with popular illuminated Skypark playground But the petition - titled 'Allow students to be taken out of school for two weeks a year without penalty' - is quickly gathering pace and has already amassed more than 164,000 signatures since it was created last month. "Families face school fines for taking their children out of school to go on affordable holidays," it says. "This can be a particular issue for low-income families, and families with children that have additional needs, who want or need to avoid busier and more expensive periods. "I feel these families are being discriminated against as they may not find it possible to travel outside of term time, as it could be too costly or overwhelming, with travel, queues, noise, busy airports, busy public transport, busy resorts etc. "We think it's unfair that these families and children might not be able to go on holiday because they can't take time off during term time.

Parents may also have additional needs that would make travelling at busy times difficult." Any petition with more than 100,000 signatures is considered for debate in Parliament.