Parents who take their children out of school during term time for a family holiday can be prosecuted, the Supreme Court ruled today.

Unless you get written permission from the headteacher of your child’s school before the holiday, you risk being landed a hefty fine of £60, which rises further to £120 if unpaid after 21 days.

If you don’t pay the fine after 28 days you could face prosecution for the child’s absence and could be fined £2,500 or face a jail sentence of up to three months.

Today the Supreme Court ruled that businessman John Platt, who took his 6-year-old daughter out of school for a seven day trip to Walt Disney World Florida in 2015, should have paid a £120 fine for his child’s unauthorised absence.

The Supreme Court stated that parents who take their children on unauthorised holidays in term-time are a “slap in the face” to those parents who do abide by the rules. John Platt’s case was brought to light days after statistics revealed that more 100 parents are being prosecuted per school day for taking their children on term-time holidays without permission from a headteacher.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Evidence shows every day of school missed can affect a pupil’s chances of achieving good GCSEs, which has a lasting effect on their life chances”.

I’d love to know what you think about this. Do you think taking your child out of school for a family holiday does affect their chances of getting good GCSE results, and do you agree that parents should be prosecuted?