The judges ruled that Isle of Wight businessman Jon Platt, who took his six-year-old daughter on a seven-day family trip in Florida in April 2015, should have paid a £120 fine for his daughter’s unauthorised absence. In their verdict they determined that Mr Platt had shown a ‘blatant disregard of school rules’ and that his approach had been a ‘slap in the face’ to ‘obedient’ parents who abide by the law. This ruling effectively means that parents who take their children out of school on holiday even on a once off occasion can be prosecuted if they do not receive permission from the head teacher.
'Shocking'
Speaking after the ruling, Mr Platt called the decision ‘outrageous’ and ‘shocking’ and a victory for the Department of Education. He also warned parents with outstanding fines not to take his lead but rather pay them or face being in court in the future. Mr Platt faces legal costs of more than £10,000. He could also be fined a maximum penalty of £1,000 when the case is re-examined at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court later this year.
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