Parents have had their say about 'pointless' fines issued for taking time out of the school term for holiday.
In Wirral, 1,360 penalty noticed were issued to parents in a single year because they took their children out of school during term time without authorisation. Some parents have now slammed the fines and argued it is 'worth it when it comes to making memories' with their children.
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Reacting to the news on Facebook, Wirral mum Kelly Hayne said: "When the fine costs less than a holiday during half term, I'm gonna take my kids out of school. It’s simply maths!"
Nickie Jones said: "Makes me fume, My kids were taken to Lapland first week of December - five days off school missed for children who are above expected levels. I was told it should have been done in the summer holidays.
"Santa doesn't work like that. Then i was told I should have waited for the Christmas holidays. I said the kids broke up on December 22 this term how would I have done that?
"Memories to be made to last a life time even more so when life is so so short at times. I'll continue to take them out too - a £60 fine is worth it when it comes to making memories. It certainly wont deter me so pointless really."
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Anite L Bell said: "Don't think schools have a leg to stand on with this one. Too many strikes, too many inset days and not enough face-to-face teaching."
Ian Stubbs thinks parents aren't as 'concerned about attendance than previous years' due to the recent teacher strikes. He added: "Plus parents are using their annual leave to cover the strikes, so are using the opportunity to go on annual holiday at the same time."
When asked about the rising figures, a spokesperson for Wirral Council said the 'numbers have been increasing since fixed penalties were introduced', adding they could be seen as a reflection of a 'more consistent approach to improving school attendance'.
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