The Isle of Wight Council has announced that it has applied for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court against the Divisional Court’s judgment in the Platt case about term-time holiday prosecutions. The Council explains that it is appealing following a formal request from the Secretary of State for Education, who is funding the appeal and will seek to be joined as an interested party.
The press reports that Nick Gibb, Schools Minister, has written to all state schools to say that he was “disappointed” by the ruling and they should continue applying the current regulations that allow parents to be fined. He is quoted as saying that “The high court’s judgment did not establish a hard and fast rule… Instead a decision will have to depend on the individual facts of each case … While family holidays are enriching experiences, the school year is designed to give families the opportunity for these breaks without having to disrupt their children’s education. It is for schools to consider the specific details and relevant context behind each request. Schools know their pupils and are well placed to make those judgments.” (Guardian, Daily Mail, Telegraph)
Rachel Kamm, 11KBW, @kamm11KBW