Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
30 March 2015 08:46
Poorer families risk missing out on holidays together, experts suggest
Thousands of children will miss out on family holidays due to strict new rules on taking pupils out of school in term time, it has been suggested.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) claims family getaways are fast becoming the preserve of the middle classes, as poorer parents cannot afford the cost of travelling during school holidays.
Under the new rules, introduced by former education secretary Michael Gove in September 2013, mums and dads can be fined £60 per pupil for taking term time holidays without the permission of headteachers.
'Valuable experiences'
But the NUT believes all parents should be able to take their youngsters out of the classroom without running the risk of being fined, to enjoy a family holiday away from the stresses of daily life.
It says that holidays can provide valuable experiences and outdoor learning opportunities for children, plus social and emotional benefits which can be of lasting value and support as they grow up.
Family travel insurance protects against delays, cancellations, loss of luggage and medical bills, so people can enjoy themselves in the sun safe in the knowledge that they are covered if something happens to go wrong.
Resolution debate
Heads are now only able to grant leave to pupils in exceptional circumstances.
But a resolution due to be debated by delegates at the NUT's annual conference in Liverpool this Easter could change all that.
It argues that despite recent advice from heads clarifying their interpretation of the rules, the regulations still unfairly impact on working parents, especially the low paid, meaning poorer children risk missing out.
The NUT wants to see the Government put much more pressure on travel companies to change pricing structures that can see fares go up during school holidays, in a bid to make holidays more affordable for the masses.
But the resolution adds that it is not just a problem of high costs impacting on working parents. It points out that some mums and dads are unable to take leave during school breaks due to shift or rota work.
19 September 2017
Manchester's Girlguides are being urged to help the elderly with a new badge incentivising youngsters to tackle senior loneliness.
[more...]
16 September 2017
Holidaymakers are being evacuated as winds up to 200km per hour hit Central Vietnam, with Typhoon Doksuri damaging houses, roads and infrastructure.
15 September 2017
People in parts of East Anglia are eight times more likely to survive liver disease than Blackpool residents, according to new data by Public Health England (PHE).
14 September 2017
A non-invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery that helps people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight is being recommended for widespread use by NHS experts.
13 September 2017
Almost half of UK adults travelling to areas at risk of malaria are not covering themselves by taking medication, despite recommendations made by the NHS and world health organisations.
12 September 2017
A new health warning has been issued by scientists in Sweden, suggesting e-cigarettes with nicotine could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
09 September 2017
Researchers have developed a futuristic pen-like device that can tell whether someone has cancer much faster than current technology.
08 September 2017
A staffing crisis in the NHS is seeing cancer patients turned away from their GP surgery and instead visiting A&E, a report has claimed.
07 September 2017
Whether it's binge-watching box-sets, shopping for clothes, chatting to friends or picking up work emails, staying connected is pretty much essential to everyday life.
06 September 2017
Around 1 in 2 GPs do not know that black men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, research has suggested.
05 September 2017
Many middle-aged men have hearts in a condition that makes the organ seem older than the men's actual age, a new study has revealed.
02 September 2017
Every cancer diagnosis should involve a discussion about stress, according to an expert investigating the biological impact of "fight-or-flight" responses.