Should parents be allowed to take kids out of school for a holiday?

15 May 2016

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The floodgates could open for parents to take their children out of school during term time following a landmark ruling at the High Court last week. However, the Department for Education has since vowed to change the law and in doing so could tighten the rules. Should parents be allowed to take their kids on holiday during term time? Which of these is CLOSEST to your view?

The floodgates could open for parents to take their children out of school during term time following a landmark ruling at the High Court last week.

However, the Department for Education has since vowed to change the law and in doing so could tighten the rules.

Should parents be allowed to take their kids on holiday during term time? Which of these is CLOSEST to your view?

Results

I’m a parent of a school-age child (18781 votes)

No (children need schooling, a holiday is not good enough reason to stop)		1293 votes (7%)
No (choice would be nice, but it's too difficult for teachers if children are constantly absent)		1079 votes (6%)
Yes (parents should have total freedom on this)		2063 votes (11%)
Yes (BUT only for a strict maximum number of days – eg, one or two weeks a year – booked in advance, not at a crucial time)		12971 votes (69%)
Yes (BUT only for younger children – infant and primary – not senior school)		1375 votes (7%)

I’m not a parent of a school-age child (16564 votes)

No (children need schooling, a holiday is not good enough reason to stop)		2987 votes (18%)
No (choice would be nice, but it's too difficult for teachers if children are constantly absent)		2006 votes (12%)
Yes (parents should have total freedom on this)		1527 votes (9%)
Yes (BUT only for a strict maximum number of days – eg, one or two weeks a year – booked in advance, not at a crucial time)		8293 votes (50%)
Yes (BUT only for younger children – infant and primary – not senior school)		1751 votes (11%)

                   35,345 votes received.

We try to use technology to limit voting to one per person. Occasionally, this may erroneously block a few people's votes (eg, from shared offices). Apologies for that.