Mum will stick to 'UK caravan holidays' after being fined for taking autistic son on term-time trip to Spain

A mum who was fined £320 for taking her autistic son and extended family on a term-time holiday to Spain has said she will "stick to UK caravans in future".

Emily Allman jetted off to Malaga, Spain, with her husband Tony Allman, 35, nine-year-old autistic son Miles Allman, Samantha Allman, five, and her in-laws on May 7.

The 32-year-old thought going away in term time was "the best idea in the world", as Miles struggles with big crowds and noisy places, alongside the cheaper £4,000 stay over a £10,000 cost for the same holiday during the school summer break.

The mother said she submitted a holiday request to the school a week-and-a-half before the travel date, and assumed it had been approved after not hearing back.

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Returning home a week later on May 14, she discovered a letter stating the holiday request hadn't been approved and was slapped with a £320 fine.

She said: "I knew it was coming. But my point is, he can't travel during school holidays. It's far too overwhelming for him. The school still decided it wasn't a good enough excuse. Goodbye wages."

A resigned Mrs Allman, from Ashington, Northumberland, conceded the family will now have to settle for UK and caravan holidays in future.

Defending the decision, she said: "I sent the form to school and rang the educational welfare office and told them about the situation with my son, they said it was down to the discretion of the head teacher.

"They have worked with my son since reception and know how he is and what he struggles with, I thought 'they'll probably accept it'."

She added: "We had the most incredible holiday. When we came home, as we arrived through the front door of the house, there were these letters waiting saying it hadn't been approved.

"I knew the fines were coming two weeks later. It was £80 per person, per child, so it was £160 each for me and my husband."

Emily said it was her childrens' first time going abroad, but they won't be able to go again due to the fines increasing.

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Now, Emily claims children should be able to have "some" days off in the year during term time to allow for holidays and that "the circumstances are different for each child".

She said: "Adults get holidays given that they can take. If we book a few months in advance, it would be a lot easier.

"This is the first time we've ever done it. I think the fine goes up if you do it again within three years, we won't be able to do it again for a while."

A viral video Emily shared explaining the distress to the family has racked up more than 20,000 views - coming with a mix of reactions from viewers.

One commenter wrote: "It isn't a good enough excuse though, like no matter your intentions you are still pulling the kid out of school for something that is not necessary."

A second wrote: "If you can afford the holiday, you can afford the fine", while a third said: "Well let's be honest it's not a good enough excuse."

Another commented: "Let it go to court, explain it to them."

However, one commenter empathised, and wrote: "I'm 100 per cent homeschooling, ain't no way I am being told when to go on holiday."

Northumberland County Council referred the enquiry to WISE Academies, with Executive Headteacher Louise Hall responding: "We understand that this is a difficult situation for the family, and we do not take the decision lightly to refer cases to the local authority to issue a penalty notice."

She said the body is committed to supporting all students with special educational needs and disabilities, but that consistent school attendance is a legal requirement, and "remains vital for every child's social, emotional and academic progress".

The Executive Headteacher cited the Department for Education guidelines, which confirms it "does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of recreation to be an exceptional circumstance" for absence.

She continued: "While we recognise the unique challenges faced by some parents, a family holiday during term time does not meet the threshold for an exceptional circumstance so cannot be authorised.

"The policy is applied consistently to ensure equity across our entire school community.

"We remain committed to working constructively with the family to support their child's ongoing welfare and education within the school environment."

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