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Why is no-one blaming the travel firms in the term-time holiday row?

Behaviour
As the issue of term-time holidays hits the headlines again, SecEd editor Pete Henshaw asks why it is always schools and ministers who get the blame, and not the holiday firms which exploit hard-working families

I am constantly amazed by the fact that it’s schools who get it in the neck over the issue of term-time holidays.

This issue is one of those that affect a lot of families in this country and can really get people angry.

The fundamental question is: should a parent have the right to take their child out of school during term-time to go on a family holiday?

After years of this decision resting with headteachers, the government has now taken a clear view. New regulations came in this term meaning headteachers can no longer grant any absence outside school holidays, unless the circumstances are “exceptional”. Previously, heads were allowed to grant up to 10 days of absence during term-time for family holidays.

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