Parents threaten to take ‘strike action’ in term-time holiday row

Since September heads have been able to give pupils time off during term-time only if the circumstances are exceptional, effectively removing their powers of discretion.

The group, which began on Facebook, said part of the reason for the strike was to support the rights of heads to decide based on individual cases.

Alan Bradbury, who set up the group, said: “The government wants us to create little slaves to the economy of the future. But the way to turn out good citizens isn’t to institutionalise them, but to open their minds and see the world around them.

“As parents we decide what is best for our children, not ministers. They start from the assumption that all we want is cheap all-inclusive holidays. But there are cultural, social and developmental advantages to families holidaying together, which can result in children honing their foreign language skills or discovering new interests.