Dad to continue battle against term-time holiday fines at High Court
A dad who successfully contested a fine for taking his daughter out of school for a trip to Florida is preparing to take his battle for the rights of parents to take their children on term-time holidays to the High Court.
Jonathan Platt, who is crowdfunding for £25,000 to cover his expected legal costs, raised more than £1,000 hours of launching his appeal.
Platt says he will use the money to speak up on behalf of other parents at the High Court, which has been asked to give clarification on the law.
Platt was taken to court by Isle of Wight council for refusing to pay a £120 fine imposed when he took his daughter out of school for seven days to visit Disneyland, but he won his case after telling magistrates that the Education Act didn’t put restrictions on holidays during term time for pupils who attended school regularly.
The council is now seeking clarification from the High Court on what constitutes ‘regular attendance’ at school. As Platt is a ‘person of interest’ in the case, he has a right to attend.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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