A mum from Wigan is challenging her local council after being slapped with a £160 fine for taking her son out of school for a family holiday. Michelle Partington, along with her husband Andrew, decided to whisk their 12-year-old son Oliver away to Egypt in June. The trip wasn’t just about fun in the sun; Michelle called it an “educational trip” packed with history, snorkelling, and quad biking.
Having moved Oliver to a new school in April due to bullying, the holiday was Michelle’s way of boosting his spirits. But the school wasn’t buying it—denying her request for term time absence and leading to fines for both parents.
Michelle is calling out this “despicable behaviour” from Wigan Council, arguing that family time is priceless and vital for children’s mental health. She’s not just battling the fine, she’s urging for a rethink on policies and asking holiday companies to stop hiking up prices during school breaks.
The council stands firm, citing parents’ legal duty to ensure full-time education. Yet, Michelle’s not backing down easily. She’s hoping her story will inspire others to question the fairness and push for changes.
How do you feel about term-time fines—fair rule or more flexibility needed? Drop your thoughts in the comments!