3 days ago
I was fined £160 by ‘despicable' council for taking my son on holiday to Egypt – even though trip was ‘educational'
A MUM has blasted a "despicable" council after they slapped her with fines for taking her 12-year-old son to Egypt on an "educational" trip.
Michelle Partington and her husband Andrew Partington, 51, took their son Oliver Partington out of school for 10 days so they could travel to Egypt on June 1.
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The 46-year-old wanted to cheer up her son after he switched schools in April due to bullying.
But she "couldn't afford" to book the £3,270 trip during the school holidays as it would have set her back an extra £2,000.
Despite arguing the trip that included snorkelling and quad biking was an "education trip" because of Egypt's rich history, the school rejected her request to take Oliver out of school.
Michelle was "devastated" when she and her husband both received an £80 fine from Wigan Council on 2 July forcing her to cancel the fun plans she'd organised for her son during the summer break.
Local councils can issue a fine of £80 per parent for a child's unauthorised absence from school, including holidays during term time.
If parents fail to pay the fine within a 21-day timeframe the amount doubles and if it remains unpaid they may face prosecution.
The mum-of-two slammed the decision on social media, saying "this is just despicable behaviour. Something needs to be done and soon".
Michelle said that while believes "education is important" she defends her decision and urges others to sign a petition to abolish these fines.
However, Wigan Council hit back by saying that "parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise".
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Michelle, a driving school company director who lives in Wigan, Greater Manchester, said: "It was really upsetting.
"I was shocked when I found out it wasn't just £80 and it was £160 even though we're one family unit. I was absolutely devastated that we had to cancel the plans we had made.
"The holiday was worth it despite the fine. It was a once in a lifetime trip and it was magical.
"We certainly couldn't afford to go to Egypt [during the school holidays], maybe Pontins or Haven or something.
"We work hard so getting to spend time together as a family was nice and we don't get to do that very often."
She added: "As much as education is really important, I think spending time with family and relaxing with family and enjoying family time on holiday is equally as important for a child's mental health.
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"I did let the school know we'd be taking him out. I told the school this would be considered an education trip because we were going to Egypt which is where lots of civilisation began and there's lots of history there.
"We arranged it to make sure there were no exams taking place so we were sensible in that much.
"They said the authorisation was denied and we would be taking him out of school without their consent. They advised me that we may receive a fine.
"I was expecting to get a fine and I'd heard that it was £80. Myself and my husband received separate letters."
While on the "educational" holiday they went snorkelling, quad biking and had a meal in the desert.
'UNFAIR'
Michelle defended her decision and calls on the council to change their policy as well as the holiday companies to stop charging higher prices during school holidays.
She said: "We had to swap his high school because he was bullied. He was still very upset about what had happened. This holiday was to cheer him up about that as well.
"I feel like the school and the council didn't really take that into consideration. You'd have thought there'd be some sort of lenience there.
"I can understand the school wanting to take a stance on children being present at school and I understand education is so important.
"What is unfair is the holiday companies charging through the nose so much more money when people need to go during the school holidays. It just makes it impossible for normal people to book nice holidays during the school holidays because it's too expensive."
A Wigan Council spokesperson said: "Parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
"Headteachers may only grant a leave of absence during term time if they consider that there are exceptional circumstances, and the Department for Education 's statutory guidance, updated in August 2024, reinforces that a holiday is not considered exceptional."
