Isle of Wight Council has been granted permission from the Supreme Court to appeal a father’s successful challenge against his conviction for taking his daughter on a term-time holiday.
In a high profile case, Jon Platt challenged the Department for Education’s rules against term-time absences, arguing that his daughter’s 90% attendance rate met the legal requirement.
But yesterday a panel of three justices reviewed the case and decided a hearing should go ahead allowing the council to launch a final legal challenge.
The council claims the case raises important issues for schools and families across the UK.
Platt said he was disappointed the appeal has been allowed.
“Their position is so shocking I hoped the court would say it was not arguable, let alone winnable," he told the BBC.
“The decision creates uncertainty and distress for parents, who will be worried sick for the next few weeks that they may have committed a criminal offence by taking their children out of school.
“But I am delighted we won’t have to wait long for the hearing. Usually it would take six months for a full hearing, so it has been expedited.”
