Holiday's 'affecting school days'

Some pupils are missing school through holidays

Thousands of Scottish children are being taken out of the classroom so their parents can enjoy holidays during term time according to research.

A study by the Daily Telegraph newspaper group suggests that about four in 10 Scottish parents are taking their children out of school to go on holiday.

The study concludes that the majority of parents blame local authorities for setting school breaks at times which do not suit many modern families.

More than half of the Scottish parents questioned said councils should stagger school holidays, enabling families with children to take advantage of cheaper travel.

The research highlights the growing trend for modern day parents to worry less about keeping their children in school at all costs

Graham Boynton

The newspaper's travel editor, Graham Boynton believes that the rise of the "truant traveller" can be traced to changing attitudes among many parents.

"The research highlights the growing trend for modern day parents to worry less about keeping their children in school at all costs," he said.

"Whether they object to the premium prices for peak season breaks, aim to beat the rush, or simply want their children to see the world as part of a wider education that goes beyond the national curriculum, 21st century parents clearly view travel as a vital and integral part of family life."

The newspaper questioned 5,863 adults living in the United Kingdom as part of its research.

Councils blamed

The results found that 40% of Scottish parents regularly take their children out of school to enjoy family holidays.

It cites parents wanting to enjoy family holidays during less busy periods as a major reason for the growing trend.

But it also says that the cheaper cost of off-peak breaks is also a determining factor.

Concern over the setting of school holidays

The study says that a "half-board week in the Mediterranean" can cost the average "family of four around £3,000 in term time".

This bill, however, "jumps by around 25% in school holiday season".

More than three quarters of the parents taking term time trips said they believed that families were being penalised by having to pay premium prices to travel during half term or holiday season.

One in 10 of the parents said they planned to "vote with their feet" and were planning a holiday during term time in the near future.

The newspaper says that 51% of the Scottish parents polled want to see a change in the way school holidays are taken with a move toward more family friendly times.