A PETITION set up by a Cwrtnewydd single mum campaigning for families to be allowed to take their children out of school during term-time was again discussed by the Welsh Assembly Petitions Committee last week as part of an evidence session with the Minister for Education and Skills, Huw Lewis.

The regulations in Wales allow headteachers the discretionary power to grant up to 10 days absence per year.

However, Bethany Walpole-Wroe maintains local authorities across Wales are not allowing schools to exercise this authority by enforcing a blanket ban on term-time absence, regardless of circumstances.

Mr Lewis said that the situation in Wales differed from that in England and that the responsibility should remain with the headteachers to determine each request on a case-by-case basis.

He also confirmed he was aware of some local authorities that have had to be reminded about the letter of the law regarding these regulations and confirmed he has intervened in individual instances as issues were flagged up.

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