AN eight-year-old girl was kicked out of school because her family holiday lasted ONE day longer than school rules allowed.
Victoria Corry was awarded a certificate for good attendance a few weeks before jetting off to Spain with her mum and dad.
But when she came back from holiday, she was told there was no longer a place for her at Crumpsall Lane Primary because she was away for 11 school days, when the rules say there is a 10-day maximum.
After the MEN contacted the school and education chiefs, Victoria was allowed back - but she had already missed six days of lessons.
Children are usually allowed to take 10 days off school to go on holiday, if they get permission.
But the family's flight home arrived back in Manchester too late for Victoria to go to school and meet this deadline.
Her parents Ann, 51, and James, 52, who have five other children, claim they told the school of their plans six months before going.
Mrs Corry says she wrote to remind headteacher Alastair Robertson three weeks before flying, but two days before departure was told there may not be a place for Victoria when they got back. By this time, it was too late to change the flights.
Mr Robertson said the decision reflects a strict policy at the school limiting the number of days that parents are allowed to take their children away from school.
He said holidays during term time are disruptive and that there is ample opportunity for parents to take their children away during school holidays.
Mrs Corry said the family returned to Manchester on May 28, one day after the deadline set by the school and were told there was no place for Victoria.
Mrs Corry said: "Two days before we went on holiday, I had a letter from the head teacher to say that if she wasn't back on May 27, she would lose her place at the school - but there was nothing we could do about it then.
"I went into school with her on the 28th, but I was just told she didn't have a place any more. There just wasn't any leeway. Victoria loves school. She was given a certificate because she had 95 per cent attendance.
"She went back on Monday, but has now missed another week for the sake of one day. It should not have happened for the sake of one day."
Mr Robertson was unavailable for comment yesterday, but previously said the strict ten-day rule complies with guidance from the DfES and Manchester city council and is part of an action plan in response to the school's Ofsted inspection and concerns about attendance.
He said earlier: "It is our view that parents and carers have numerous options throughout the year to use school holidays and Bank Holidays to extend holidays.
"Any holiday is disruptive, but a holiday at a period where national tests and internal school tests are taking place causes the school some disruption. But the main issue is the 10-day absence rule. That has been operating for over two years and when they contact the school they are informed of this in writing."
A spokesman for Manchester city council's education department said: "The LEA guidance to schools is based on the DfES' guidance.
"How this is interpreted in individual schools is a matter for each school's governing body on a case-by-case basis.
"We have been in close discussion with the school over this issue and are very pleased that this pupil is now back in school."
What do you think of the school's decision?
Comments
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The parents are upset about her missing six days from school?
But they couldn't care less that she missed 10 days of school on holiday?!!!!
Why on earth did the school allow the girl to miss 10 days of school for a holiday????
WHAT AN OUTRAGE! WHEN THERE ARE CHILDREN PLAYING TRUANT AND GETTING REWARD TRIPS ETC, A FAMILY PRE PLANS A HOLIDAY, NOTIFIES THE SCHOOL AND THE CHILD IS EXPELLED. HOW IS THAT FAIR? THE CHILD SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN EXPELLED, IT'S RIDICULOUS
The school is out of order. They knew about the child's absence and were informed well in advance. This sort of treatment of pupils should be reserved for regular absentees and not regular attenders.
it is easy to criticize the school, but you cannot expect a school to maintain high standards, If the school is not allowed to enforce its rules.
Why did the school expel the girl over something she had no control over?
absolute poppycock for the school to be so inflexible!! i have taken holidays in term time with my daughter for the simple reason i am a single parent and cannot afford to go during school holidays and dont see why my child shouldnt have a holiday when i can afford to go. the time can soon be caught up...as it is if a child is ill, or does this school not allow illnesses ???
While at first sight it appears petty to drop the girl from the school roll I think when you set a rule it should be adhered to, otherwise the next set of parents will take their child out of school for twelve days and say that this is only a day more than this girl was allowed. Where does it stop? Children's education should not be disrupted in this way and parents should behave in a more responsible way when deciding on family holidays.
The parents where given very clear instructions about the consequences of taking time off during term time. They chose to ignore this so she was excluded. Surprise surprise they go moaning to the council and the paper and the school is forced to back down. It may come as a surprise to some parents but they have a responsibility to assist in your child's education. So before moaning about the school they should take responsibility for their child.
Linda from Rochdale I didn't have a holiday till I was 16. My parents certainly would never have taken me out of school. If you can't afford you don't go. That's what we did and it hasn't emotionally scarred me for life. Holidays abroad are luxuries, why not spend the holidays at home and take your daughter to places of interest in the area. I cannot accept your excuse to for taking your child out of school for a holiday, it's wrong.
What a farce. Is this BIG BROTHER taking control or what. Schools should remember that they are there to educate children. This policy is so outdated that it is laughable.
Schools should realise that in the majority of cases children are not kept away from school unless there is a very good reason and considering that children are at school for approx. 35 weeks of the year, then 1 day is really not that important.
Absolutely ridiculous! To escape the nightmarish hoards of package holidaymakers during July and August my parents sometimes took me on holiday during term time. Never did me any harm - exploring the world and finding out about other cultures is an education in itself. Straight A's at GCSE and A Level underline this point. If 10 days absence is that detrimental to a child's schooling then I think other questions need be asked.
In case you were unaware flexitime at school has not been introduced yet. Parents cannot pick and choose when they send their child to school. It is usually these parents who also demand that teachers set additional work for their child (which would not be necessary if the child were in school to start with). Fair enough, if there is a valid reason (family funeral/wedding occasion etc), then request prior permission but if you cannot afford holiday companies' prices during school holidays either lobby these companies or PLAN A HOLIDAY YOU CAN AFFORD - go camping - much more educational than 2 weeks in a 'resort' where I bet the only thing they do is eat fish and chips and complain that noone speaks English.
I think the answer is to reduce the school summer holiday to 2 weeks. It appears many parents don't understand what school holdays are for.
Please spare a thought for those pensioners struggling to pay the Council Tax to help pay for the education of these children. I am sure they would like to have a holiday if only they could afford it. Taking children on holiday in term time is also disrespectful to the teachers who spend time preparing lessons for the children of these ungrateful families.
Whilst teaching staff remain in unions which use the threat of strike action, then the argument that parents taking pupils out of the classroom has no real impetus (I am not opposed to Unions - being a member of one myself). Education is important in children's lives, but it is not their whole existence of being! Spending quality time with family comes way in front of education.
Spare a thought for those people working in the travel industry. My son-in-law is a train driver and if the grandchildren did not take holidays in term time, then a family holiday would be out of the question. As one who rarely saw her father, I know how much a family holiday means to all concerned
I'm off for a nice well earned family holiday at the end of this week, I've not had a day off this last year that has not been necessary, neither has my wife, my kids school attendance records are exemplary, I work shifts and can go days without seeing my kids for more than ten minutes. The school know about it, they are a good school but like all other schools they love to bolt on an extra day on every holiday for teacher training. Last January when we had a smattering of snow the school was closed at 0910 in the morning throwing a lot of parents routines into chaos. No one complained because it's about a bit of give and take. One of the articles under the ECHR legislation is the right to family life, if I was made subject to prosecution I would fight and defeat it under that right. I have the right to spend one uninterupted week per year with my family as and when I choose it.
Have just read the article regarding the school girl refused aplace for being 1 day late back. I have 4 kids 2 are now grown up and the other 2 still at school. we have never taken our kids out of school for family holidays, but i have been lucky so far, for the last 9 yrs i have worked in public transport. most schools state that you should only have holidays in school holidays.
heres a simple statistic for them who think that way.
when you go on holiday Who do you think drives the train, the bus. pilots the plane or operates the ferry, works in the hotel etc etc, I can assure you that the travel/holiday business is not staffed by only childless people. in my department we have around 150 drivers working a 7 day 24hr shift pattern allowing for only six of on holiday at a time, inorder to provide a service, you try and get all 150 to take a two week holiday in a six week period. I WAS NEVER MUCH COP AT MATHS SO LETS SEE IF THE TEACHERS WHO HAVE MOST OF THAT SIX WEEKS OF CAN COME UP WITH AN ANWSER, I'M SURE ITS NOT POSSIBLE.we don't all have the luxury of six weeks of to pick when to go on holiday. an ather department in my firm have what is called Block holidays, thats when YOU are told when to have your holidays. remember its not always as simple as they think
I think that the school is pathetic. I can understand why parents have to take children on holiday in term time as they are so expensive in the school holidays. The school did not care about the child - they just wanted to make their pathetic point! I would take my child out of that school anyway.
Well, the parents knew the rules about 10 days holiday and if they don't comply they rightly deserve the sanctions doled out to them even if it means chucking their kids out of school. Cruelty/human rights etc my arm!!!!!!