The issues surrounding term time school holiday fines continue with an academic expert appearing on national TV this morning (Tuesday 10.30am ITV).
Jon Platt, the Isle of Wight father who wad told by magistrates and the High Court that he had no case to answer after refusing to pay a term time holiday fine, but is being taking to the Supreme Court by the Isle of Wight council under the direction of the Department for Education, shared details this morning.
Approved holidays do not lead to low attainment
Professor Alan Barr, along with Dr Beccy Smith, has analysed DfE data (involving over 2.6 million children). He explained their findings on ITV’s This Morning programme today.
Prof Barr said there may be good reason for the Department for Education policy (to tackle persistent absence), but the evidence in relation to attainment doesn’t support it.
His study found that children who were taken out of school for family holidays (approved by the Head Teacher) did just as well at KS2 as those who had not.
Many national newspapers picked up the story from the TES who have been following a series of FOIA exchanges between the DfE and the two academics.
Legal Aid
Mr Platt has recently won Legal Aid to fight the Supreme Court case.
There is no news of dates yet, but expected any day.
Watch live or catch up
You can watch live online if you are unable to reach a TV.
