Survey: Let us have term-time holidays, say parents

With schools across the company now on their summer holidays a new poll has found that one in three Brits believe it is acceptable to take a child on holiday during term time if parents can’t afford the high prices of travel during official school breaks.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jul 2011, 15:16 BST

The poll, by leading comparison site Carrentals.co.uk, asked customers across the UK when, and if, it is acceptable to take a child out of school for a holiday.

The responses saw 21 per cent saying it was OK to attend a family occasion such as a wedding, and 12 per cent believing children could be taken on holiday in term time to fit in with parents’ work commitments.

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Around one in ten said it was acceptable if the holiday has educational benefits, but six per cent thought it acceptable if parents simply refuse to pay the school holiday premium.

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Only 17 per cent said they would not take a child out of school for a holiday during term time.

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “As all parents know, the cost of travel in the school holidays goes up significantly and for some, particularly in the current financial climate, this means no family holiday.

“The results of the poll show just how much sympathy there is for parents who are genuinely unable to afford to travel during this peak period.

“What needs to be looked at is greater staggering of school holiday dates to help keep the costs of travel down and enable more families to enjoy a holiday together.”