DEC truancy terms reconsidered

Landmark ruling in UK will have impact on IoM

The outcome of a landmark UK term-time truancy case will have a direct impact on how we view 'regular' school attendance in the Isle of Man.

So says Education and Children legal and administration manager Andrew Shipley, as the Supreme Court decides whether or not Jon and Sally Platt should be penalised for removing their daughter from school for a week.

Changes to legislation there replaced the system currently used on Island - with decisions made at the head teachers' discretion.  

Mr Shipley says there's a limit before the DEC get involved.

He adds the UK legal decision defining the word 'regular' could inform the department's approach to it.