Councillor Biederman to move:
We must stop the exploitation by Holiday Firms on families and staff in our schools.
Devon County Council recognise the importance of children being at school for the maximum time possible in order for them to be able to thrive and succeed in life after school.
Central government policy, Ofsted and this Council adopt a strong stance against schools and parents, who wish to take children out of school for a family holiday in term time. A five day unauthorised absence can mean a fine of £240 for a family with two school aged children.
The main reason for parents taking children out of school, with the financial and life pressures facing families in these incredibly tough times, is the cost of holidays in the holiday seasons. Holiday firms are clearly exploiting them.
From research on four holidays for a family of four, two adults and two children aged 5-15 for summer 2024, checking dates of 12th July 2024 and 9th August in the same accommodation, the figures are staggering.
1. Butlins Minehead - £946 July & £2437 August, difference £1491
2. Centre Parcs Longleat- £1748 July & £2348 August, difference £600
3. Ruda Croyde - £649 July & £1039 August , difference £390
4. Cyprus Pathos All Inclusive - £4239 July & £5769 August, difference £1524
Research proves that a family holiday can be very important and have massive positive outcomes for both children and parents.
Research conducted by the Family Holiday Association, the charity that helps struggling families to have a break, found that 49% of British people said their happiest memory is being on holiday with their family.
The results from the poll of 2,000 British adults revealed that emotional, psychological and social benefits of family holidays last long after the break itself ends.
On these positive outcomes, McDonald said: "We consider these to be a ‘happiness anchor’ – reflecting on our happiest memories of joyful time spent together as a family can be extremely powerful in bringing relief and respite when faced with the darker times that life can bring.
"By using these memories as an anchor to take us back to more cheerful moments, we’re often able to approach problems with a fresh sense of perspective.
"But for many without such memories, reigniting a sense of optimism for getting through the tougher times can seem like an impossible.
It also found children that have had the benefit of a holiday break are often inspired and learn better after a holiday.
It’s not just children that suffer, many vital support staff in our schools are on low incomes and have no choice but to take holidays in the School Holidays and so the way holiday companies are exploiting the prices, affects them too.
Devon County Council will
(a) Write to Head Teachers, Academies in Devon Schools to urge them to be sympathetic to requests for holiday in term time, giving consideration to individual children’s family circumstances, their previous attendance levels, and the importance of the school year that the child is in.
(b) Write to Ofsted seeking their assurance that schools taking a more flexible approach to school absences for family holidays is not counted against them.
(c) Write to the Local Government Association and appropriate government ministers to ask for a review of what holiday companies can charge. Butlins for example have increased their price by roughly x 2.5 the price of one month earlier.
The level at which holiday companies are increasing prices of course, means parents are willing to take the fine, as in all my examples, it’s far less than the extra cost of taking the holiday in the school holidays ….. perhaps it’s the Holiday firms that should be fined if they charge more than 20% extra on any holiday over their average price over the year.
Decision:
(Councillors Hart and Twiss declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter by virtue of being in the holiday business and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration).
(Councillor Gilbert declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration)
In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.
Minutes:
(Councillors Hart and Twiss declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter by virtue of being in the holiday business and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration).
(Councillor Gilbert declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration)
Councillor Biederman MOVED and Councillor Hodgson SECONDED
We must stop the exploitation by Holiday Firms on families and staff in our schools.
Devon County Council recognise the importance of children being at school for the maximum time possible in order for them to be able to thrive and succeed in life after school.
Central government policy, Ofsted and this Council adopt a strong stance against schools and parents, who wish to take children out of school for a family holiday in term time. A five day unauthorised absence can mean a fine of £240 for a family with two school aged children.
The main reason for parents taking children out of school, with the financial and life pressures facing families in these incredibly tough times, is the cost of holidays in the holiday seasons. Holiday firms are clearly exploiting them.
From research on four holidays for a family of four, two adults and two children aged 5-15 for summer 2024, checking dates of 12th July 2024 and 9th August in the same accommodation, the figures are staggering.
1. Butlins Minehead - £946 July & £2437 August, difference £1491
2. Centre Parcs Longleat- £1748 July & £2348 August, difference £600
3. Ruda Croyde - £649 July & £1039 August , difference £390
4. Cyprus Pathos All Inclusive - £4239 July & £5769 August, difference £1524
Research proves that a family holiday can be very important and have massive positive outcomes for both children and parents.
Research conducted by the Family Holiday Association, the charity that helps struggling families to have a break, found that 49% of British people said their happiest memory is being on holiday with their family.
The results from the poll of 2,000 British adults revealed that emotional, psychological and social benefits of family holidays last long after the break itself ends.
On these positive outcomes, McDonald of the Family Holiday Association said: "We consider these to be a ‘happiness anchor’ – reflecting on our happiest memories of joyful time spent together as a family can be extremely powerful in bringing relief and respite when faced with the darker times that life can bring.
"By using these memories as an anchor to take us back to more cheerful moments, we’re often able to approach problems with a fresh sense of perspective.
"But for many without such memories, reigniting a sense of optimism for getting through the tougher times can seem like an impossible.
It also found children that have had the benefit of a holiday break are often inspired and learn better after a holiday.
It’s not just children that suffer, many vital support staff in our schools are on low incomes and have no choice but to take holidays in the School Holidays and so the way holiday companies are exploiting the prices, affects them too.
Devon County Council will
(a) Write to Head Teachers, Academies in Devon Schools to urge them to be sympathetic to requests for holiday in term time, giving consideration to individual children’s family circumstances, their previous attendance levels, and the importance of the school year that the child is in.
(b) Write to Ofsted seeking their assurance that schools taking a more flexible approach to school absences for family holidays is not counted against them.
(c) Write to the Local Government Association and appropriate government ministers to ask for a review of what holiday companies can charge. Butlins for example have increased their price by roughly x 2.5 the price of one month earlier.
The level at which holiday companies are increasing prices of course, means parents are willing to take the fine, as in all my examples, it’s far less than the extra cost of taking the holiday in the school holidays ….. perhaps it’s the Holiday firms that should be fined if they charge more than 20% extra on any holiday over their average price over the year.
In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.