Latest Ruling on Term Time Holidays Welcomed by Ski Companies

The Rulings

A ruling last year about parents who take their children out of school during term time has been welcomed by ski companies. Families from Swindon who had been issued with fines for unauthorised absence by Swindon Borough Council had them overturned at Salisbury magistrates Court because the children concerned had good attendance records. One of those parents prosecuted had been fined £60, her defence was that she was a single parent and had no choice.

This ruling is similar to the one in the Isle of Wight in May 2016 when a man won his case in the High Court after taking his daughter for a 12 day holiday during term time. Again the reason given was that the child had a good attendance record, which supported the ruling.

Reaction of Ski Companies

Ski companies have welcomed this ruling including family ski holiday provider Esprit Ski.The company's programme director Ian Hope said: “It is a fundamental right that parents should be allowed to make decisions that affect their family, whether it be based on social, educational or financial terms and we at Esprit recognise that for many families there is no choice except to take holidays during term time."

 “We couldn’t agree more that school has to be the absolute priority at key times running up to critical exams for example, that could affect a child’s long-term prospects. But we are not talking about teenagers about to take GCSE’s or A-levels, but about toddlers and children under 10, for whom the physical activity, self-confidence, social skills and family bonding a ski holiday involves are every bit as important – and we believe even more life-enhancing – than another five days in the classroom.” 

David Hopkins from Mark Warner also said, "We are delighted with the decision which allows families more flexibility and choice when looking for their holidays. Travel is a vital part of children’s education and we hope that the experience they have, and the skills learnt on our holidays, all serve as a great basis for their future development."

Nick Morgan, managing director of chalet holiday specialists Le Ski, said: “We wouldn’t endorse taking children out of school at crucial times in their education but a week here and there in the Alps for younger children would surely do them a lot less harm than good." In fact Morgan has spoken about his own personal experiences, “We took our own children out of school from February half term to Easter two years running, home schooling them in the Alps. The combination of exercise, environment and listening to French made them more rounded adolescents. And much better skiers.”

So there you have it, certainly a hit with the ski companies but maybe not with all heads and teachers. Our advice would be to always talk to head of your children’s school first before making a booking, that way you know exactly whether you have support or not.