Mum fined after failing to argue term-time resort holiday was 'educational'

A mum failed to convince her local council that a term-time trip to Sharm El Sheikh was 'educational'.

Michelle Partington branded the council 'despicable' for slapping her with fines over her son's term-time holiday. Along with her husband Andrew Partington, the couple decided to take their son Oliver, 12, out of school for 10 days so they could travel to Egypton 1 June.

The 46-year-old said she wanted to cheer up her son after he switched schools in April due to bullying but 'couldn't afford' to the £3,270 trip during the school holidays, as it would have set her back an extra £2,000. This comes after a British tourist caused outrage by riding a cow in Tenerife.

Have you been fined for taking your child on a term-time holiday? We'd love to hear from you. Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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Despite arguing the trip - which included snorkelling and quad biking - which was an 'education' one because of Egypt's rich history, the school rejected her request to take Oliver out of school. Michelle says she was 'devastated' when she and her husband both received an £80 fine from Wigan Council on 2 July.

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.

Many teachers and headteachers have publically urged parents to stop taking their children out of school during term-time, as doing so can be so disruptive to a child's education and to the classroom.

Michelle has not heeded the calls, instead reacting furiously to the fines. She wrote on social media: "This is just despicable behaviour. Something needs to be done and soon". The mum has now launched a petition calling for council's to be stripped of their fine issuing powers in such instances.

A spokesperson for Wigan Council has noted that "parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise".

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. 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.

"I did let the school know we'd be taking him out. I told the school this would be considered an educational 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. I just thought they were doing their due diligence by sending it to them both, but it was £160. You'd think there was a better way to deal with this.

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While on the 'educational' holiday they went snorkling, quad biking and had a meal in the desert.

Michelle 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."

Like many other parents in state school, Michelle feels it is unfair that she has to fork out so much more for school holiday breaks, when private school families enjoy huge discounts as their terms are much shorter.

"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," she continued.

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."