A British couple are facing court action for taking their son on holidays during term-time after being refused permission to do so by his school.

 

Annette and Michael Putt asked for permission to take their daughter Ruby and their son Harrison out of school to go on a five-day holiday to Wales in June 2014.

 

However, while Ruby’s school found no issue with the request, authorities at 14-year-old Harrison’s school denied permission for the teenager to be taken away during term-time.

 

Despite the rejection, the Putts proceeded with their holiday and travelled to Porthmadog in North Wales as planned.

 

They were in for a shock when they returned however, with staff at Harrison’s school informing them that they had contacted the local authorities over the incident.

 

According to new guidelines introduced by the government in 2013, children are only allowed to be taken out of school during term-time if it is an ‘exceptional circumstance’. The Putts have claimed that they did not wait for the school holidays to come around to take the trip because it is ‘too expensive’ to holiday at that time.

 

 

The parents now face a court hearing due to their refusal to pay the £60 fine handed down over the unauthorised absence.

 

Speaking to The Guardian, care worker Mrs Putt said: “I’m not a criminal. I haven’t hurt anyone. I’m not a bad person. I’m a normal mum, wanting to give our children some family holiday time.”

 

This story brings to mind that of Maddie Stevens, the 11-year-old student who was banned from receiving an end-of-term treat because she took a day out to attend her mum’s funeral. While there is no doubting that Maddie was completely hard done by in this case, can the same be said for the Putts?

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