Mum hits back at term-time holiday critics saying 'we're already booking for next year'

Chelmsley Wood mum Leanne Bray said she wanted to challenge 'outdated' rules on term-time holidays

A Solihull mum-of-five who defied new government fines to take her children on holiday during school term-time has hit back at critics - revealing she was already booking their next trip. Leanne Bray, from Chelmsley Wood, said her family 'needed' to go on holiday during less busy times of the year due to her children's additional needs.

Leanne has just landed back in the UK following an unauthorised family holiday to Benidorm, taken days after classes around the country returned for the new academic year. It came as the government tightened the rules around term-time holidays, upping the fines from £60 to £80 per child, potentially payable by both parents.

But Leanne told BirminghamLive she would continue to take term-time holidays in protest against the 'outdated' rules set by the Department for Education. She also hit back at critics saying she had 'no regrets' over her rule-breaking holiday and had not yet received a fine.

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"We've had no fines as of yet, but I'm not holding my breath," she said. "Sometimes it can take the school a few weeks to catch up. I expect to get a fine, but I will fight it."

Leanne contested one fine in court earlier this year, after she was prosecuted by Solihull Council over a term-time trip to Lanzarote in February. The case was one of the driving factors in Leanne's decision to home-school her four youngest children.

She said increased fines would not deter her from taking her children away during term time, adding: "I've four children who are home-schooled, and if they get a break then so should my daughter."

Leanne was praised by a number of BirminghamLive readers when we shared her story, although some were less sympathetic saying she should be fined for her unauthorised holiday. Responding to the criticism, she said: "There's always going to be people who disagree with me.

"The majority of the rules I will follow, but in my opinion some are tedious, outdated and unrealistic. Personally, I want my family to be able to enjoy themselves from time to time so I have no regrets.

"They're my children and if I want to take them away so they can learn about new cultures, then I have a right to do so. I think that's more beneficial to my children than sitting in a classroom where they're not getting the support they need anyhow.

"We're already looking at bookings for next year - these changes won't stop me. Once I hit my third strike, I'll be sent straight to court, but I'm not afraid.

"I think more people need to stand up for what they believe in. To me, family time is so important and the more people that push the boundaries, the more they'll have to look at changing the rules."

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently raised concerns about an "absence epidemic" in England's schools, criticising lenient parents for letting their kids skip school for minor reasons like holidays, birthdays, or even a mere 'runny nose.'

The Department for Education has this year announced a hefty penalty regime for absenteeism, starting with a £80 fine if settled within 21 days, doubling to £160 thereafter from this academic year onward.