BIG CONVERSATION: We asked - should parents be fined for taking children out of school for a holiday?

• Sharon Kennard, 53, from Alton Gardens, Southend, said: “We are controlled enough as it is - my son wants to take his three girls for a holiday in Majorca, first time on a plane and a great experience.

“They have been refused permission due to it being in school time. What is the problem? Why does he have to wait till it is over a thousand pounds to do so?

“Let kids have a great holiday without worrying about getting fined!

“Just remember there are parents struggling to find the money for holidays, they work extra hours to save. These rules are a joke.”

• Matt Crow, 48, from Canvey, said: “I don’t have any children who are in school age.

“Nevertheless, from my own personal view, I think parents should have the choice as to whether they take their children out of school during term time for a family holiday when it is less expensive.

“The financial difference between term time holidays and those outside of school time is very large so it isn’t easy for families.

“The cost is very high and that is unfair on them during times of austerity.

“It is very difficult these days, but parents should get the final say in my view as it is for their children at the end of the day.”

• Zoe Leigh Bailey, 29, from Southend, said: “I think it’s disgusting that Jon Platt’s fine was upheld. They are our children, we make the decisions.

“Some parents can’t afford to take the kids on holiday in the school holidays!

“We looked at going to Turkey last year, but it would have cost £1,080 for two adults and two children during school time, then we looked in half term and the price tripled to £3,500! And that is just for one week! If they won’t allow us to take our kids out then there should be a ban on travel agents, camp sites, and hotels hiking up the prices in school holidays.”

• Del Thomas, 35, of durham road, southend, said: He said: “I disagree with Jon Platt’s argument. Because he is basically saying ‘my son has 92 per cent attendance at school so far, so it is OK to take him out.

“I reckon 90 per cent attendance is the equivalent of one maths and literacy lesson a week and so although it sounds high it is very detrimental to their education.

“I agree something needs to be done regarding the higher holiday costs parents pay for holidays in term time, but the solution is not to harm the children’s education by taking them out.”

• Terry Latchford, 77, of Ballards Walk, Laindon, said: “I am with the parents on this, because they are paying heavily to have holidays in term time.

“I think common sense should come into it, and the other thing is that when the kids are travelling and going to these places, they are still learning.

“My grandkids go to France and to Turkey and they have to learn the language and things like that.

“If they are in school all year, a few days won’t hurt them, particularly when you consider there are things like those training days.”

• Rachel Atkins, 27, a full-time mum, from Electric Avenue, Westcliff, said: “You can understand why parents take their children out of school during term time.

“For a lot of us, it is just too expensive to go on holiday in the school holidays because prices rocket and unless you have been saving all year, it is impossible.

“I have two children and I haven’t taken them out before for a holiday but it doesn’t mean I think it is fair.

“Yes, you want your children to get a proper education but there is so much pressure to give them everything else - we cant afford to go abroad in the holidays.”

• Liz Collins, 50, from Westcliff, said: “Hearing his reason for taking the child away, I think he has done the right thing.

“He has a family of 17 of them and it was the only week they could all go on holiday together, and his other two children had different term times so they weren’t missing school.

“I think it is disgusting that he is being put through all this, it is not fair.

“I’m sure his decision wasn’t made lightly.

“What I can’t comprehend is that a school will authorise an absence of a week for a child to attend dancing competitions but not to spend quality time with family. The world really has gone mad.”

• Danielle Bates, 32, from Rayleigh, said: “My daughter is seven and for the past two years I have taken her out of school for a two-week holiday, the first year it was in April, the second in June.

“I asked the school permission and they declined and advised I may be charged. I chose to take that risk. My daughter has 100 per cent attendance throughout the year, she never has sick days, she never has days off due to tiredness or laziness.

“I make sure she goes in on time every single day so she is educated and has fun with her school friends. But yes I choose to take her out of school for a fun family and educational vacation during term as it’s any thing from £500 to £2,000 difference.”