A SINGLE mum insisted she doesn’t care how much she’s fined after pulling her kids out of school for a Benidorm holiday.
Leanne Bray, from Solihull, West Mids., jetted off on the forbidden term-time trip because it is her “right” to suit her children’s needs best.
The mother-of-five is no stranger to penalties and was hauled before a judge in February for refusing to pay a fine issued when whisked her family to Lanzarote last year.
Leanne told Birmingham Live: “I think it’s out of order.
“All my children have additional needs and it’s important for us to have family time at a time of year that suits us – when it’s less busy. I don’t think the government is taking into account the needs of the population.”
The determined mum said taking a flight at the busiest time of year is “very challenging” for her kids, who suffer “meltdowns” because of of large crowds.
Her youngest four children are now homeschooled after their primary school rejected Leanne’s holiday request.
But, Leanne went away in spite of the cost – and claimed it was less money than she saved by going away during term-time.
She added: “I don’t think these new fines will make much of a difference, people will pay them because the cost of a holiday in term time is much cheaper than during the summer holiday.
“I will challenge my fine because I believe, as a family, we have rights and needs and as a single parent to five children, I’m entitled to a break.”
The single mum-of-five told her her family learns by experiencing different cultures and learning new languages through travel.
She insisted her children “learn more with their hands than sitting in a classroom”.
It comes after the government hiked the fine for unauthorised holidays from £60 to £80 per child.
And, both parents could have to fork out to pay the hefty penalty.
The cost is doubled if the care giver decides to take their kids on an unauthorised absence again within three years.
After three fines, parents could face prosecution and be fined up to £2,500 according to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
But Sun Online Travel previously revealed how flight prices can increase by as much as £400 during the school breaks.
According to Gov.uk, you must make sure your child gets a full-time education that meets their needs (for example if they have special educational needs).
You can send your child to school or educate them yourself.
Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16.
You’ll be contacted by either:
You can be prosecuted if you do not give your child an education.
You’ll normally get warnings and offers of help from the local council first.
And in past years, holidays have been up to nine times more expensive during half term.
It comes as one dad slammed his children’s school after he received a £480 fine for taking his kids on holiday during term time.
Paul Benson and his wife Jessica were slapped with the penalties after taking their children Ruby and George to Florida.
Meanwhile, a mum saved almost £10,000 by taking her kids away during term time – and will do it again this year.
Rachel Smith, 33, takes her two children Brayden, 11, and Elianna, nine, out of school every year during term time to go abroad.
Plus, parents who were fined an eye-watering £720 for taking their kids on holiday said they have no regrets.
Wesley Joyce, 42, from Worcester, took his children Jai-Jai, Cleo and Hallie on a ten-day all-inclusive trip to Turkey during their school term and paid the price.
THE main issue that can lead to parents receiving a fine is missing school.
Currently, it’s the decision of the local council whether or not to issue a parent a fine for their child missing school.
However, from August this year, the fine for absences will up to the school to consider – when a child has missed 10 or more sessions for unauthorised reasons.
And the fine will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days – this is issued to EACH parent.
It’s the first time the fine has been increased since 2012, and is in line with inflation.
If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within three years, this will automatically be charged at the higher rate of £160.
Fines will be capped at two fines within a three-year period.
After this limit has been reached, prosecution or a parenting order may be considered.
According to the official government website, there are only five reasons your child should be absent from school if the school is open.
These are as follows:
