I took autistic son away in term time – it’s the only way he can enjoy a holiday but now I’m struggling with huge fine

A MUM thought taking her autistic son on holiday during school term was the ‘best idea’ until she was slapped with a £320 fine – and says she’ll stick to UK caravans in future. Emily Allman jetted off to Malaga, Spain, with her husband Tony Allman, 35, nine-year-old autistic son Miles Allman, Samantha Allman, five, and her in-laws on May 7. Mum-of-two Emily has been slapped with a fine after taking her children on holiday in term time Credit: Kennedy News Emily took her son away in term time as he struggles with crowds Credit: Kennedy News The 32-year-old thought going away in term time was ‘the best idea in the world’ as Miles struggles with big crowds and noisy ‘popular’ places due to his condition. The mum-of-two said it was cheaper to pay the fine for their £4,000 stay than pay £10,000 for the same holiday during the school summer break. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Emily said she submitted a holiday request to the school a week-and-a-half before the travel date and assumed it had been approved after not hearing back. When the modelling agency agent returned home a week later on May 14, she discovered a letter stating the holiday request hadn’t been approved and was slapped with a £320 fine. READ MORE REAL LIFE FEATURES The mum thought that the school had approved her request as she’d heard nothing back Credit: Kennedy News It was the first time her children had been on a plane to go abroad Credit: Kennedy News Emily posted a video online with the caption: “I knew it was coming. But my point is, he can’t travel during school holidays. It’s far too overwhelming for him. “The school still decided it wasn’t a good enough excuse. Goodbye wages.” A resigned Emily said the family will now have to settle for UK and caravan holidays in future. Emily, from Ashington, Northumberland, said: “We put in a request to the school. My son, having autism and ADHD, struggles with really popular places. Most read in The Sun “Even around our home town he struggles with big crowds if it’s too loud or if it gets too hot. “We thought going in the term-time would be the best idea in the world. My mother-in-law said if we went two weeks after, it went from £4,000 to £10,000. “We knew even if we did get fined it would be cheaper than having to pay that. “I sent the form to school and rang the educational welfare office and told them about the situation with my son, they said it was down to the discretion of the head teacher. “They have worked with my son since reception and know how he is and what he struggles with, I thought ‘they’ll probably accept it’. “I didn’t hear anything back up to the point of us going on holiday so I thought ‘it’s been accepted’. We had the most incredible holiday. “When we came home, as we arrived through the front door of the house, there were these letters waiting saying it hadn’t been approved. “I knew the fines were coming two weeks later. It was £80 per person, per child, so it was £160 each for me and my husband.” Emily said it was her kids’ first time going abroad but they won’t be able to go again due to the the fines increasing. Now, Emily claims children should be able to have ‘some’ days off in the year during term time to allow for holidays. Emily said: “The circumstances are different for each child. “The money was a pain in the a** but when it comes to his needs, I’m not going to push him to go to a place where he is not going to enjoy it. That would be a complete waste of money. Emily jetted off to Malaga, Spain, with her family for a cheaper break in term time Credit: Kennedy News She has since been slapped with a £320 find for taking the family away in term time Credit: Kennedy News “It was the first time my kids had been on a plane to go abroad. He [Miles] was able to get on the plane first and see the airplane. “Even that was difficult for him. It was busy, it was on a weekend, the airport was full. I would love for there to be a week or so that the child is able to be given throughout the school year. “Adults get holidays given that they can take. If we book a few months in advance, it would be a lot easier. “This is the first time we’ve ever done it. I think the fine goes up if you do it again within three years, we won’t be able to do it again for a while. “It will have to be a case of staying in the UK and going to caravan parks just to get them away.” The viral video Emily shared, which racked up more than 20,000 views, had mixed reactions from people. Emily said: “Lots of people were shocked we were fined and others said they had been accepted for the same reasons. “I think there should be something put in place to understand the child as a person and not just another number. ‘I’ll pay the fine, I knew it was coming, but it’s the principle. It’s had many mixed reviews with people arguing among themselves. “It’s one of those things you unfortunately have to deal with as a parent, not that I think it’s fair. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get away during school time.” Some commenters empathised with Emily while others said that there is no excuse to miss school. One wrote: “It isn’t a good enough excuse though…like no matter your intentions you are still pulling the kid out of school for something that is not necessary.” Emily has no regrets for taking her kids away but says the fine has put her off doing it again Credit: Kennedy News Emily thinks something should be done to stop treating children like a number Credit: Kennedy News A second commented: “If you can afford the holiday, you can afford the fine.” A third wrote: “Well let’s be honest it’s not a good enough excuse.” Another commented: “Let it go to court, explain it to them.” But one wrote: “I’m 100% homeschooling, ain’t no way I am being told when to go on holiday.” Northumberland County Council referred the enquiry to WISE Academies. Louise Hall, Executive Headteacher at WISE Academies, said: “We understand that this is a difficult situation for the family, and we do not take the decision lightly to refer cases to the local authority to issue a penalty notice. “WISE Academies is committed to supporting all students with special educational needs and disabilities and we work closely with families to create tailored support plans. “However, consistent school attendance is a legal requirement and remains vital for every child’s social, emotional and academic progress. “Department for Education guidelines make it clear that the DfE ‘does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of recreation to be an exceptional circumstance’ enabling authorisation of absence. “While we recognise the unique challenges faced by some parents, a family holiday during term time does not meet the threshold for an exceptional circumstance so cannot be authorised. “The policy is applied consistently to ensure equity across our entire school community. We remain committed to working constructively with the family to support their child’s ongoing welfare and education within the school environment.”