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In the previous year, approximately 1 out of every 25 students in England were removed from school for a vacation, resulting in a financial penalty for their parents. Over 350,000 fines were given for unauthorized absences, a number that has tripled in the last six years.
Prior to 2013, head teachers in England had the authority to approve up to two weeks of family vacations per year in certain situations. However, former Education Secretary Michael Gove took strict measures against parents who removed their children from school during the academic term. As a result, a set amount of £60 is now charged for unauthorized absences.
According to Darren Morgan, a primary school principal in Greater Manchester, the increasing amount of absences due to vacations is a matter of mindset.
He mentioned that the issue has deteriorated due to the Covid outbreak, as students were not attending school and had to rely on virtual education.
This is the reasoning that parents use. They have had success with this in the past, so they believe they can continue to do remote learning while on vacation.
Are some parents willing to pay fines because they can save a significant amount of money?
Here are the main inquiries and responses.
What is the difference in prices between term-time and school holiday?
Families with school-aged children are well aware of the significant expenses associated with traveling abroad during school breaks. It often adds hundreds of pounds to the total cost of the trip.
On July 20, 2024, you can book a Tui vacation package from Bristol to Crete. This date falls on the start of summer break for many schools. The package includes a one-week stay at Tasmania Village in Elounda and costs £2,548 for a family of four.
By traveling a week in advance (which is possible for families with children attending private schools), you can save £239.
As the summer vacation comes to an end, the later you plan your trip, the more cost-effective it can be. A Jet2 package vacation for a family of four from Manchester to Benidorm costs £2,028 if you leave on August 24th and stay at the Avenida apartments for a week. However, if you delay your trip by a week, the price for the same trip will decrease by £372. However, it should be noted that most Manchester schools resume on September 2nd, 2024.
The greatest discrepancies can be seen in commonly traveled ski flights, particularly the main route from London Gatwick to Geneva, the entry point to the French Alps. These are the most budget-friendly and most expensive round-trip flights on easyJet departing on consecutive Saturdays in February for a week.
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On February 10th, the cost for school holidays ranges from £361 to £1,115.
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On February 17th, the lowest price was £82 and the highest price was £248.
The cost of half-term flights is more than four times higher, regardless of whether you look at the least expensive or most expensive options.
Is this also valid for long-distance journeys?
Reworded: Yes, a round-trip flight from London Heathrow to Orlando on Virgin Atlantic costs £558 for the last Saturday of June and £976 for the last day of July. This represents a 75% increase in price.
How can the travel companies justify charging such high prices for holidays?
Travel is unlike most industries. For example, a brewer or ice-cream manufacturer can respond to a warm summer by increasing production. But capacity in the travel industry – the supply of airline seats, hotel beds and rental cars – is largely fixed over the course of a season.
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During the majority of the year, a traditional vacation company or recreational airline may operate at a deficit. However, they are able to compensate for this by generating a larger profit when schools are on break. This is due to the fact that most schools have synchronized holiday schedules, resulting in a surge in demand when the semester ends. The elevated prices are a result of consumers being willing to pay them.
Wasn’t there a significant commotion surrounding this matter in the past?
Numerous requests have been made to parliament, with one containing 171,000 signatures, urging the government to restrict increases in holiday prices during non-peak periods.
The government responded: “In a market where competition exists, it is the responsibility of businesses to determine the value of their products and set prices accordingly. In the holiday market, there is intense competition for customers.”
Price increases during busy periods are a result of the competitive market for hotel accommodations and other services in popular destinations with tourists from various countries, where there are capacity constraints.
“These customers also desire to travel during these high-demand periods. We are also informed that travel companies must aim to earn a fair profit during peak seasons in order to stay in business during times of lower demand, resulting in lower prices and profits.”
What is the statement from the children’s commissioner?
Rachel de Souza, the commissioner for children in England, urged vacation companies to provide additional support for families with limited income. During an interview with BBC Breakfast, she stated, “It’s time for holiday companies to take responsibility and offer fairer prices for families with children, as we cannot afford for children to miss out on valuable education.”
“Each day holds significance, and I often hear from children that they desire to attend school. Families also express their desire for their children to be in school, recognizing the value of education.”
Skipping school during the academic term can significantly affect your performance. Only half of the students who took a week-long vacation during year 10 or 11 were able to achieve satisfactory grades.
Your education has long-term value that far outweighs a short vacation.
Are those in the travel industry paying attention?
Implementing a law that mandates travel companies to maintain consistent prices year-round would result in a significant decrease in the availability of vacation options.
A representative from Abta, the travel organization, stated that holiday prices are influenced by the supply and demand in the global travel industry.
Several travel agencies provide complimentary spots for children who book early and discounted prices for child passengers.
If travelers are open to changing their travel plans, such as choosing a vacation with a different starting or ending airport or departing on a different day of the week, they may come across more affordable options.
Are there other options for removing children from school?
This is especially true if you reside in the northern regions of England or southern areas of Scotland. Towards the end of June, Scottish residents have the opportunity to travel to Manchester or Newcastle to take advantage of deals, as English children are still attending school.
During the latter part of August, there is a change in direction as people from northern England make the journey to Glasgow, Prestwick, or Edinburgh.
In the long run, is there a solution to this issue?
Implementing varying vacation dates for each region can be beneficial. This is a common strategy in France for winter and spring breaks. Areas are categorized into Zones A, B, and C, which aids in distributing demand and decreasing high prices.
The travel sector would be content with a school break schedule that maintains consistent demand throughout the season. However, it is unlikely to occur in the near future.
Source: independent.co.uk
